Ex-football chairman dies after fall at Hunstanton cliffs

The body of Gary White, 64, was found on the beach shortly before 3pm on April 3.

An inquest into his death was opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court at County Hall on Friday, during which senior coroner Jacqueline Lake confirmed Mr White had been born on July 30, 1959 in Barking, Essex.

During a short hearing, Mrs Lake said that Mr White had died on Hunstanton beach, close to the cliffs.

She said pathologists had identified the medical cause of his death as multiple traumatic injuries due to a fall.

Hunstanton beach, where Gary White died. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Chris Bishop)

The court also heard Mr White, of Boxted near Colchester, was employed as a chartered accountant and leaves a daughter called Lucy.

Away from work, Mr White also spent almost seven years as the chairman of non-league football club Heybridge Swifts, before stepping down in January 2023.

He played a leading role in revamping the club's Scraley Road home ground, with his life celebrated with a minute's silence at a recent home game.

A spokesman from Heybridge Swifts FC told the Maldon Standard: “Our condolences go to the family and we respect the privacy of the family at this time. 

“At our last home game, we held a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.”

East Anglian Air Ambulance at Hunstanton cliffs. Picture: Chris Bishop (Image: Chris Bishop)

Following the incident, an air ambulance attended the scene, which saw Hunstanton beach closed for a period of time.

There was a large emergency service presence in the area and a police cordon was put up near the lighthouse.

Mrs Lake scheduled an inquest to be held on September 27.

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