An 18-year-old woman tragically lost her life after falling 100 feet from cliffs in Devon while attempting to retrieve her dog. Keeleigh Plant was walking along the coast path at Hope Cove with her boyfriend and two dogs when the incident occurred.
As the couple began their journey home, a rabbit suddenly darted across their path, prompting their two dogs to chase it toward the cliff edge. Both Keeleigh and her boyfriend stepped over a low wooden railing, trying to call the dogs back. One dog returned safely, but while Keeleigh was focused on retrieving the second, she slipped and fell.
Her boyfriend was unsure whether she lost her footing or if the ground beneath her gave way. He heard her slipping and then realized she had fallen. Despite immediate efforts from onlookers and medical responders, including an off-duty first aider and an air ambulance crew, Keeleigh was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries.
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The inquest, held at County Hall in Exeter, concluded her death was accidental. Following the tragedy, Keeleigh’s family shared that she had been planning to take a gap year before starting university and had recently secured a new job. A student with a passion for maths and IT, she was also a beloved team member at a local pub where she worked as a bar assistant.
Keeleigh was born in Plymouth, adopted by her foster parents, and attended schools in Malborough and Kingsbridge, excelling academically. She was an active Brownie as a child and a mental health ambassador in sixth form, overcoming anxiety to support others. Known for her love of animals and daily dog walks, she was familiar with the coastal route taken on the day of her death.
The incident occurred on May 19, 2023. Keeleigh, her boyfriend, and their two cockapoo-type dogs had spent the day at South Milton Beach before stopping for pizza at Hope Cove. Despite the efforts of emergency services following a 999 call at 3:24 pm, she was pronounced dead at Beacon Beach by 4:16 pm.
Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fall. Coroner Alison Longhorn expressed sympathy for the family, noting Keeleigh’s bright future and the devastating loss caused by the accident.