A person died in a cliff railway accident over the weekend, police have confirmed. They died in an accident at the Babbacombe Cliff Railway in Torquay, Devon, on Sunday morning.
Devon and Cornwall Police released a statement today (September 5) describing the incident as an "industrial accident". A police guard could be seen at the clifftop entrance to the road leading to the railway entrance this morning, reports DevonLive.
The Health and Safety Executive has been called in and is helping the police with the investigation into the death. The access road to Oddicombe Beach remained closed on Monday morning, along with a section of the coast path running through the area.
Read next: Missing Filton man last seen nearly two weeks ago
The popular tourist attraction takes passengers in carriages up and down the steep cliff to Oddicombe Beach below. There is also a winding road and footpaths down the steep slopes at either end of Babbacombe Down, which is lined with hotels and offers stunning views along the South Devon coast.
The statement issued by Devon and Cornwall Police on Monday updated an earlier release which described the person involved as seriously injured. It said the casualty's next of kin had been informed.
The force said: "Police were called by the ambulance service to reports of an industrial incident at a commercial premises in Torquay at around 10.10am on Sunday 4 September. One person sustained serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The next of kin have been informed. Emergency services remain at the scene
"The matter has been referred to the Health and Safety Executive, which is assisting Devon and Cornwall Police with its enquiries. In light of this, Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, and road access leading down to it will remain closed on Monday 5 September.
"This will also include the following areas: the South West Coast Path (SWCP) leading from Babbacombe Beach through to Oddicombe Beach and the SWCP leading from St Marychurch in Torquay down to Oddicombe Beach. We would like to thank the public for their co-operation and understanding in this matter."
The cliff railway opened in 1926 and takes paying passengers along a straight steep track the 220metre distance between Oddicombe beach and the Babbacombe Downs on the cliff top. There are two passenger cars, each with space for 40 passengers, operating on the service known as a "funicular railway".
Read next:
