Cliff death boy may have stumbled because of dog

A teenager who fell to his death from a cliff while on a college trip may have stumbled over the edge because he was frightened by a dog.

A teenager who fell to his death from a cliff while on a college trip may have stumbled over the edge because he was frightened by a dog.

Asif Bharucha, 17, lost his balance and fell 80 feet onto rocks when he was walking with teachers and classmates along a cliff-top path in Cornwall on Tuesday.

Ian Clinton, principal of Blackburn College, Lancashire, where Asif was a student, said it was a "tragic accident". "A dog ran up to Asif and it would seem he wasn't happy in the company of dogs," he said. "He was a little nervous and moved to the side to avoid the dog. It seems he may have overreacted to some extent and fallen over the cliff on that basis."

Asif was in his final year of a BTEC course in business studies and was expected to do well, Mr Clinton added. "He was one of our most capable, enthusiastic, lively young men. He was popular and well-liked by everyone."

The accident happened at an area known as Crane Ledges between Kynance Cove and Lizard Point. Asif was on a week-long hiking trip with 10 other students from the college.