Man Arrested Over Cleveland Climber's Death

21 July 2014, 17:34 | Updated: 22 July 2014, 07:34

A man's been arrested after a climber from Cleveland has died after falling from a cliff near Whitby.

North Yorkshire Police said a 51-year-old man fell at Kettleness Point, near Runswick Bay, north of Whitby, on Friday.

He was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was pronounced dead.

A force spokesman confirmed that a man in his twenties, from the Whitby area, has been arrested.

He has been released on bail while police inquiries continue.

It is understood he was climbing with the man who died when the incident happened.

Officers have appealed for walkers who may have been in the area to come forward.

Temporary detective superintendent Steve Smith said the incident happened at about 12.40pm on Friday.

Mr Smith, said:
"This is a tragic incident involving two climbers who appear to have got into difficulty, resulting in the death of one of them.

A full investigation is under way to establish exactly what happened. The family of the dead man are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.''

He said the area is popular with walkers and the Cleveland Way goes through the village of Kettleness.

It is believed that at least two walkers were seen in the area around the time the incident happened and Mr Smith appealed for them to come forward.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATED 21st July 2014 - 6:30am

A climber from Cleveland has died after falling from a cliff near Whitby.

North Yorkshire Police said the accident happened at Kettleness Point, near Runswick Bay on Friday.

The injured man, who was 51 years old and from the Cleveland area, was airlifted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was pronounced dead.

Now officers have appealed for walkers who may have been in the area to come forward.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Steve Smith said the incident happened at about 12.40pm on Friday.

Mr Smith, said:
"This is a tragic incident involving two climbers who appear to have got into difficulty, resulting in the death of one of them.

A full investigation is under way to establish exactly what happened. The family of the dead man are being supported by specially trained officers at this time.''

He said the area is popular with walkers and the Cleveland Way goes through the village of Kettleness.

It is believed that at least two walkers were seen in the area around the time the incident happened and Mr Smith said he is appealing for them to come forward.