MEMBERS of the public were shocked to find the body of a man lying underneath cliffs beside the River Wye on Monday afternoon (August 5).

The discovery shortly before 5pm happened at Wintours Leap near Woodcrof.

Emergency and rescue services were alerted and the body was recovered and transported downstream by lifeboat to Beachley.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: “Officers attended the scene with members of the fire and rescue service and Severn Area Rescue Association and following an initial investigation the body was recovered.

“The identity of the man has not yet been formally confirmed but he is believed to be from Gwent and his next of kin has been informed.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a report is being prepared for the coroner.”

A SARA spokesperson said on Tuesday: “SARA Beachley Lifeboat Crew were called out late yesterday afternoon.

“They were tasked to support Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service with the recovery of a body from the base of the Wintours Leap cliffs.

“Working with GFRS, and at very low tide, the team was able to transfer the stretcher from the woods onto SARA Lifeboat 3, and recover it back to Beachley,” they added.

“The police have now said that although the identity of the man has not yet been formally confirmed, his next of kin has been informed.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man concerned.”