Man dies at beauty spot after falling down quarry near Cow and Calf Rocks (From Ilkley Gazette)

Climbers and walkers at popular Ilkley beauty spot witness tragic accident

2:14pm Thursday 16th August 2012 in Local news

A man fell 50 feet to his death at Ilkley’s Cow and Calf Rocks yesterday morning while dozens of walkers and climbers were visiting the beauty spot.

The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, suffered fatal head and chest injuries in the fall at the old quarry by the popular viewpoint.

Police said the tragic incident was witnessed by a number of people. The man, who was wearing outdoor clothing, had not been identified by police by the time the Gazette went to press.

Officers were called to the scene at about 10.45am, and cordoned off the quarry while investigations took place.

But moorland sightseers were allowed to remain on the southern edge of the viewpoint and outside the nearby Cow and Calf Cafe.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service was alerted at about 10.30am and sent the Air Ambulance, as well as a rapid response vehicle, ambulance and a clinical supervisor.

Police officers took statements from witnesses, believed to include a group of climbers in the quarry when the man fell. The man is not thought to have been a climber himself.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, who attended the scene, said: “There’s nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances.”

Det Insp Bragg said police were working to establish the identity of the victim – who was “not a young man” – and a post mortem will be carried out. An inquest is expected to be opened shortly.

Daytrippers visiting the Cow and Calf Rocks were shocked by the incident.