Man, 38, dies after quarry fall

Coastguards said the man appeared to have fallen off the cliff path

A 38-year-old man has died after he fell into a disused quarry near Torquay seafront in south Devon.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who heard the man calling for help at Peaked Tor Cove on Saturday night.

He was rescued by the inshore lifeboat in "atrocious" weather conditions and airlifted to hospital in Plymouth with serious injuries.

Police said they were making enquiries into the incident.

Heavy rain

Coastguards said the man appeared to have fallen off the cliff path after drinking heavily.

Andy Huber, of Brixham Coastguard, said: "The first informant told the coastguard that he had heard the casualty fall and shout for help.

"He said he was in severe pain after hitting solid rock after falling from the path."

The witness had been out night fishing at the time.

A coastguard statement said the weather conditions during the rescue were "atrocious...with heavy wind-driven rain rebounding off the cliff".

Coastguards and paramedics were assisted in the operation by a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

Police said they were trying to locate the man's next of kin, adding that there was no suggestion of foul play in the incident.