Heartbroken friends of dachshund lovers Lynn and John King have told of their devastation on social media following their deaths in a shocking 100-metre fall from a cliff on the Isle of Wight
A woman who died alongside her husband and their two dachshunds in a tragic cliff plunge has been pictured for the first time as loved ones share heartbreaking tributes to the couple.
Lynn and John King died instantly when their Ford Mondeo toppled off the top of a nearly 100m (300ft) cliff at Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight on Friday. The couple, believed to have been in their early 70s, were with their dogs at the time of the dramatic crash, which left their car a crumpled wreck at the bottom of the seaside ridge. Rescue workers dashed to the scene after receiving calls of the horror incident, and were pictured on the scene combing through the wreckage, with their friends and loved ones having since shared touching tributes to “frail” Lynn and John.
Disturbing tragedy of dog owner who died with dachshunds as car plummets 300ft off cliff
Pictures show late Lynn and the couple’s car before the crash, with neighbours saying she appeared “really, really frail” as she was guided into the vehicle by her husband before they drove to their deaths.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a neighbour said: “His wife looked really, really frail. She was hunched over quite badly and was finding it very difficult to walk. I was surprised to see her out of the house.” Friends and former colleagues of John, a former bus driver, and Lynn have told of their devastation after learning of their deaths.
Fellow driver Lee Berty Bridle said in a touching tribute posted to social media that the two would “rest together”, sharing his condolences to their family.
He said: “Such sad news announced today, that former work colleague John and his wife Lynn king tragically passed away.” He added: “May you now both be at rest together, with deepest condolences to your family, friend’s and work colleagues.” Other friends have said they would “miss them both” in similar tributes.
Another added: “He was a true friend to me during my low times and Lynn took a lot of good hearted stick when she worked in Brunels. I’ll miss them both.” And a third said: “Absolutely gutted, RIP John and Lynn.”
Police are investigating the couple’s shock deaths, and are currently searching the couple’s terraced home in Cowes, also on the Isle of Wight, with pictures showing orange-suited investigators combing through the mangled wreck of their Ford Mondeo.
A multi-service response included members of the coastguard, police, firefighters and ambulance, with a man pulled from the wreckage and onto the shore within minutes.
First responders were seen performing CPR on one of the casualties, with a helicopter-mounted winch used to remove the car from the water.
