Managing director died falling 100 feet off cliff from roof of funicular railway while speaking to police, inquest hears

Published: 13:26, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 13:42, 2 July 2026 A managing director died after he fell from the roof of a funicular railway down a 100 feet cliff while speaking to the police, an inquest has heard.  Mark Stephen Hill, 49, was spotted on top of the roof of the carriage in Bournemouth, Dorset, last month. Police were called to the scene where officers and members of the public attempted to approach Mr Hill before he fell to the bottom of the cliff. Mr Hill was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple injuries in the incident at 11.30am on June 26. Now Dorset Police, who were in contact with Mr Hill at the time of the incident, have reported themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Coroner's officer, Laura Thorne, told the court at his inquest opening in Bournemouth that Mr Hill was born in Walsall, West Midlands. At the time of his death, Mr Hill was married, living at an address in Brighton and working as a managing director. Ms Thorne said Dorset Police were called to Southbourne beach following a concern for welfare report. Pictured: Emergency services by the railway funicular where Mr Hill fell to his death  Following the tragedy,  the beach was evacuated to allow for an air ambulance to land while a large police cordon was put in place for much of the afternoon. Pictured: The funicular railway Mr Hill was formally identified by photo identification. Police conducted an investigation into his death but determined there were no suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement. A post-mortem examination was conducted by Dr Albadry at Holly Tree Lodge Mortuary on June 30, and a provisional cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries. Ms Griffin requested statements from Mr Hill's family, his GP, mental health services if he had been known to them and Dorset Police regarding their contact with him before his death and their investigation. Statements were also requested from BCP Council staff who were at the scene as well as any other emergency services that attended. The hearing was adjourned for a pre-inquest review at the same court on January 11, 2027. During the incident, the beach was evacuated to allow for an air ambulance to land while a large police cordon was put in place for much of the afternoon. Several members of the public who were on the beach below watched the horror unfold. One eyewitness was on the beach in front of the Fisherman's Walk Cliff Lift when the man fell. He said: 'It's horrible. He was standing on top of the lift and then he fell.' A woman said: 'I was on the beach directly opposite, getting myself organised and I looked up and saw movement.' She described the incident as 'terrifying' and 'very, very sad.' Crews from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, HM Coastguard and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the incident to assist police. A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 11.19am on Friday 26 June to a concern for welfare on Southbourne Cliff Drive near to Fisherman's Walk. 'Officers arrived and began to engage with the man. It was subsequently reported that he fell from height. 'A police cordon was put in place to allow emergency services to respond to the incident and a short time later it was confirmed the man sadly died at the scene. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner. 'As police were already in attendance when the fall happened, a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is standard in incidents of this nature.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.