Couple seen ‘hand-in-hand’ before falling from popular tourist cliffs named

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: North Yorkshire Police have confirmed the identities of a couple who died on July 30 after falling from the cliffs near the popular Whitby Abbey

An elderly couple who were seen hand-in-hand before falling from the edge of a popular tourist hotspot cliff egde have been identified. North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that David Jeffcock, 80, and Susan Jeffcock, 74, perished on July 30 after plummeting from the cliffs near Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire.

Prior to their deaths, a witness told The Daily Mail how he saw the pair “jumping” from the cliff edge. He was camping nearby on the clifftop when “all hell broke loose”‘.

He said: “Police, ambulances, and mountain rescue and coastguard helicopters were on the scene very quickly. The helicopter was here around 8pm on Wednesday night. The path leading to the cliff was extremely busy with walkers and dog walkers.

“I was told the couple who died were walking along the path. Another couple were coming the other way. The next thing we know is they jumped. It was absolutely horrific to see. The poor souls did not stand a chance. They fell straight onto the rocks below.”, reports Yorkshire Live.

The claims of the pair jumping have not, however, been verified or confirmed by police, and an inquest into the deaths of Mr and Mrs Jeffcock is scheduled for Monday, September 22 at Northallerton Coroner’s Court.

The pair were the first of four people to perish after tumbling from the cliffs within five days. On July 31, the body of a woman in her 60s was discovered at the base of the cliffs by the Pavilion.

Then, on August 2, the body of a woman, believed to be in her 50s, was found further along the coastline at Sandsend near the main car park. Her injuries were consistent with a fall from the clifftop.

The identities of both women remain unknown.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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