An inquest has heard that a hypnotist drowned while walking with his wife on Dartmoor’s Lover’s Leap Cliff.
Michael Crudge, aged 59, was enjoying a walk on the moor last August with Orsolya balla. After climbing to the summit of Poundsgate’s landmark on private property, Crudge fell into the river 40 feet below.
Ms Balla fled to help. She was accompanied by two other women who entered the River Dart trying to locate Mr Crudge. However, despite their best efforts they drowned.
Michael Crudge, aged 59, was seen on the moor in August with Orsolya balla
A post-mortem revealed that Mr Crudge drowned, but Dr Paul Highley, a pathologist said that he could have fallen unconscious from the impact of his head.
According to Ms Balla, her husband went on Lover’s Leap naked, with a rucksack strapped on his back, while she remained on the ground. She also stated that he was near the edge.
She stated, “He seemed to wobble again before putting out his arms. He disappeared from view and then fell over the edge.”
Although she claimed to have heard the slapping sounds as his body struck rocks, he didn’t respond.
The remote area was without a mobile signal so she fled to the nearest cottage for assistance.
Belinda Abbott, a woman swimming the river, came to her aid and went into the water to try and locate Mr Crudge from the deep but slow moving river.
DevonLive reported that the dog walker could hear his screams coming from somewhere she was.
She stated, “It was so cold that I was struggling.”
Ms Abbott discovered him face-down, submerged in the river, and wedged close to a boulder at the bottom of the river.
Before the Dartmoor Rescue Group arrived, 999 crews were also on their way. She was able to flip Crudge over.
According to police, the accident was called a tragic accident.
Ian Arrow, senior coroner in Plymouth and South Devon, recorded an accidental death.
After climbing to Poundsgate’s landmark on his own land, Poundsgate in Devon, the hypnotist fell 40 feet below into the river.
He explained that Michael had set out to walk for one day. He has apparently fallen off Lover’s Leap and injures himself.
Arrow thanked the efforts of rescuers, especially Ms. Abbott. Police said that she was nominated to receive an award.
As a hypnotherapist, Mr. Crudge was also a healer and retreat organizer.
His 70s days included singing in Blackpool’s punk band The Fits.
John Robb, a music journalist wrote Louder Than War a tribute for Mr Crudge. He said: “I am totally shocked by the passing of Mick Crudge, the ex-singer of Blackpool’s punk band The Fits.
‘Mick was a beautiful spirit whose tidal wave of life force seemed unstoppable with whatever he threw himself at – whether it was punk rock or his later spiritual and healing wanderings.
“It was always an honor to bump into him, from my teenage years at the grimy Blackpool punk rock dives in the late seventies or later in London’s green fields or festivals. He lived in London when he wasn’t wandering the globe.