Dad plunged to death in front of family while trying to scale beach landmark (Picture: BNPS)
A father-of-two fell to his death while attempting to scale a famous south coast landmark in front of his family, an inquest has heard.
Azhar Baig, 47 was on a family day trip to Lulworth Cove in Dorset when he and his brother-in-law attempted to climb a 100ft natural archway known as the ‘Stair Hole’.
After twice climbing the limestone rock and jumping off into the water below, Mr Baig slipped and hit his head on the stone floor during a doomed third attempt and subsequently died at the scene from his injuries.
The tragic incident was witnessed by the 47-year-old’s brother-in-law, Imran Baig, who was above him on the climb up.
An inquest into his death heard how Mr Baig had travelled to Dorset on a day trip from his home in Luton, Bedfordshire, along with his wife, brother-in-law and children.
The group had originally planned to travel to Durdle Door during the ill-fated trip in July 2021, but upon arriving at seeing the car park was full, they decided to go to Lulworth Cove instead.
Once there, the group saw a small number of people climbing up one side of the arch before leaping off into the water below, and decided to have a go themselves.
Azar Beig, a chip shop owner from Luton, died after attempting to scale the summit and hitting his head on rocks after slipping (Picture: BNPS)
Mr Baig’s widow – Naeem Akhtar – told the inquest that having heard Imran shout she turned to see her husband lying unconscious ‘face up in the water’.
The inquest was told that several off-duty soldiers on a day out from the nearby Lulworth Camp rushed to help Mr Baig, who owned a fish and chip shop in Luton, and pulled him from the water.
BUt despite paramedics and lifeguards rushing to his aid following the fall, Mr Baig’s head injuries were too severe and he died at the scene.
Speaking at the inquest, Mr Baig’s widow questioned whether there were enough signs in place to warn people about the dangers associated with the location, which is owned by the Lulworth Estate.
Ms Akhtar said: ‘People were jumping through the stone arches. Azhar had jumped successfully from the arch once or twice.
‘I heard my brother shout, and when I turned my husband was lying face up.
‘We were just going from Stair Hole back to the rest of the family at Lulworth Cove when it happened.’
The 100ft natural archway known as the ‘Stair Hole’ is a popular spot for base jumpers (Picture: BNPS)
Yet a representative from the estate dismissed her claims and said every visitor to the area will have passed ‘at least one warning sign’ on their way to the summit.
Paying tribute to Mr Baig, his family said: ‘Az was full of life and joy, always serving with a smile, bringing happiness wherever he went.
‘He will be sorely missed.’
Area Coroner for Dorset, Brendan Allen, described Mr Baig’s death as a ‘terrible tragedy.’
Mr Allen added: ‘This is undeniably a risky activity.
‘On the third attempt…he slipped and hit the rocks before falling below.’
Mr Allen said: ‘If there is any good that can come out of this incident it is that people will stop and think before accessing the cost.’
He recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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The father-of-two slipped and fell to his death while attempting to scale a 100ft natural arch on a Dorset beach known as the ‘Stair Hole’.
