Friends shocked over cliff death
Jan 11 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
FRIENDS and neighbours of a man who died after plunging down a 60ft-high cliff on the Northumberland coastline spoke of their shock yesterday as police investigations continued into the tragedy.
Popular Keith Hudson, 41, died from multiple injuries after falling onto the rocky beach below from the gale-swept clifftop at Old Hartley in Seaton Sluice in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Police were yesterday waiting to speak to a 33-year-old woman who also fell down the cliff face and underwent surgery at North Tyneside General Hospital for serious chest and leg injuries.
It is still a mystery why the couple drove from their home town of Blyth to the remote car park above the cliff and how they came to fall onto the rocks below in the middle of the night.
Mr Hudson, who is believed to have worked in the care sector, lived alone in an upstairs flat in Hunter Avenue, Blyth.
Yesterday a bouquet of flowers was stuck in the letterbox of the property, where he had lived for about two years.
His family lives in the Newsham area of the town and he was a popular and regular customer at a number of pubs and clubs in Blyth.
It is understood that he and his female companion – who has not yet been formally named, but is known locally as Sherry – had been out drinking in Blyth on the day of the tragedy.
Yesterday, Stephen Lazenby, who works at the town’s Waterloo pub and was a friend of Mr Hudson’s, said: “He was a brilliant, funny lad and I was devastated to hear this. I just don’t understand what they were doing along there and the whole thing is really shocking.
“Keith often drank in here with a big group of us and was a good mate.
He is going to be a big miss because he was very well liked.” A spokesman at the Joiner’s Arms pub said: “There are a lot of upset staff and customers here today and we don’t really want to say anything at the moment.”
Lee Davis, who lives opposite Mr Hudson’s flat in Hunter Avenue, said: “He had been there about two years and was a quiet lad who kept himself to himself. I only used to speak to him to say hello but he was quite pleasant.
“I heard yesterday that he might have been the guy who fell off the cliff at Seaton Sluice, but I have no idea what he might have been doing along there.”
Members of Mr Hudson’s family refused to comment last night.
The 33-year-old woman remained in a serious condition in hospital yesterday.
Last night a Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “It would be helpful if we could talk to her and find out what has happened, but she will have to be well enough for us to do so.”
