Family 'devastated' over car cliff fall deaths

The car went over the cliff near the Needles

Relatives of two people who died when their car went over a cliff into the sea have said they are "devastated and numb" over the tragedy.

John Paul King, 67, and Lyn King, 66, from Cowes, Isle of Wight, died on Friday evening along with two dogs, police said.

Their Ford Mondeo was being driven along Alum Bay New Road when it went over the clifftop near the Needles sea stacks, officers added.

Mr King's former employer, Southern Vectis bus company, said it was saddened by his death.

Police were called at 19:21 BST on Friday after the car, with two dachshunds inside, came to rest in the water below the clifftop road.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was making inquiries at an address in Arctic Road, Cowes, to establish what happened.

The pair were a married couple, according to local reports.

In a statement released through the force, the King family said: "We are all devastated and numb from the loss, and would respect some privacy."

Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis general manager, said: "John King was not an employee of Southern Vectis at the time of his death, having left earlier in the year.

"John had worked for the company as a network driver for two and half years prior to leaving.

"We are saddened to learn of this tragic event and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."