A FATHER who 'always knew how to make people laugh' died after falling from a cliff during a late-night walk while on holiday abroad, an inquest heard.
Ben Clark, from Andover, died aged 41 while on holiday with his daughter in Majorca on June 26 2025.
An inquest into his death was held at Winchester Coroners' Court on Tuesday, August 18, heard by area coroner Jason Pegg.
Mr Clark worked as a carpenter in Andover and the inquest heard from his daughter Kaci Clark as the two were on holiday together for the first time.
Ms Clark said: "He was just so funny, and he always knew how to make you laugh. He was a ball of sunshine who loved his family so much.
"He loved being on holiday, loved the sun and loved getting a tan. He was on cloud nine in Majorca."
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The inquest then heard that Mr Clark and his daughter had made friends with a British woman and her aunt during the trip.
Mr Pegg said there appeared to be "some attraction" between Mr Clark and the woman, Nicola Foers, and that the pair decided to take a walk to the beach together at around 11.30 pm.
Mr Pegg said: "All of you, particularly your dad, had consumed alcohol.
"He was not completely staggering around and out of it, but drinking nonetheless."
He said Mr Clark was looking out to sea while Ms Foers had her back to the sea when the incident happened, and that it was possible the pair had gone to hug each other and lost their balance.
Ms Foers told the inquest that her final memory was standing face to face with Mr Clark.
She said: "Ben said we needed to go and see this view so we took a walk and stopped at one point.
"I can't remember what happened, but I remember seeing my feet, flip-flops coming off and just rolling and rolling and rolling.
"I didn't think he fell with me at the time; I didn’t know if he panicked, gone to find help, I didn’t even think he’d fell.
"I was unconscious for about an hour and then realised I had no idea where Ben was."
In conclusion, the coroner ruled Mr Clark’s death as accidental.
He said: "Ben was intoxicated with alcohol, which contributed to his death."
"He fell from the footpath onto the beach below, sustaining multiple rib fractures that caused pulmonary haemorrhage and respiratory failure.
Mr Pegg said it was "slightly unclear" what caused Mr Clark to fall, but said it was likely that alcohol played a role in the accident.
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