A British holidaymaker plunged 130ft to his death over a cliff in Sorrento, Italy.Stock photo, Sorrento: Rex

A British holidaymaker plunged 130ft to his death over a cliff in Sorrento, Italy - an incident that has now been ruled as a "tragic accident".

Richard Knox, 27, an investment manager who lived in Parsons Green, London, was on his way back to a youth hostel after a night out drinking with friends in August 2010 when tumbled down the Vallone dei Mulini, or Valley of the Mills.

His friends raised the alarm with a local taxi driver, Carmine Esposito, and rescue services were sent in from Naples.

During an inquest at Oxford Coroner's Court,Mr Knox's friend and holiday companion, Jonathan Chauncy, said a doctor was winched down to help Mr Knox.

He told the Daily Mail: "By the time Richard was being brought up he was moving to the extent that he was struggling with the straps on his stretcher, although he was clearly confused."

His friends said they were "euphoric" that he was still alive, but he died the following died from his "multiple injuries" at the Misericordia Hospital in Sorrento

Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter ruled a verdict of accidental death, and told the Daily Mail: "There is no evidence of third party involvement, unfortunately it is apparent from the evidence that alcohol did play a part and Richard was intoxicated at the time."

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