Suicide and accidental death at Beachy Head

Abstract

During 1965-79,124 deaths occurred at Beachy Head cliffs. A coroner's verdict of suicide was returned in 58. The yearly numbers increased during the period along with a reduction in the proportion of suicide verdicts. At least 115 of the deaths were almost certainly suicides, and the most likely cause for the change in the proportion of suicide verdicts was a change of coroner. The reputation of the place, the publicity given to each suicide, the accessibility of the site, and the lack of preparation required all influence the choice of this method and it may be replacing other ways of suicide locally. © 1982, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.