British couple's cycling outing ends in tragedy

Sarah Lawrie, 40, let out a haunting scream as she plunged to her death from the cliffs of Wied Mielaħ, limits of Għarb, two days ago.

Mrs Lawrie and her husband John, 47, from Hampshire, England, were cycling along the cliffs when they stopped to take in the scenery early on Tuesday afternoon. They lowered their bicycles to the ground and sat down at the edge. About half an hour later, Mrs Lawrie stood up and stumbled on a rock. Her husband desperately tried to catch her but she could not secure a firm grip and fell over.

The couple, who had only been married for a year, were spending their holiday on the islands.

John Michael Mizzi, who happened to be leading tourists along the cliffs, came across a foreigner who was also passing by and told him a woman had fallen into the sea. Since he was familiar with the valley, he ran round the corner and found a devastated Mr Lawrie.

Mr Mizzi said: "He told me what happened and said his wife's scream was horrible. He said he saw her floating in the sea and called out to her but she didn't reply. He ran along the cliffs to call for assistance and when he returned to the spot she had disappeared".

In the meantime, a tourist picked up one of the bikes, which was dangerously close to the edge, and put it aside while another person called for assistance.

Civil Protection Department personnel were the first to arrive and immediately began a rigorous search of the gorge. Shortly after they were joined by the police, followed by paramedics.

An AFM patrol boat arrived with army divers on board and they began combing the seabed and underwater caves.

The army said this turned out to be difficult because of the underwater topography and the rough sea. A military helicopter joined the search party and, as time passed, this was replaced by another one.

Ms Lawrie's body was spotted from the air two or three hours later. It was lifted aboard the patrol boat and taken ashore.

Sources said an autopsy established she drowned after crashing against the jagged rocks, suffering contusions to her lungs and brain.

Foul play has been ruled out.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com