Mayor Sally Holman sends town’s condolences to the victim’s family after freak accident

THE severely disabled young woman who died after her wheelchair plunged into the sea at Lyme Regis on Friday has been named as Clair Perkins, from Solihull, West Midlands.

The 20-year-old was waiting to go on a boat trip with her parents when her motorised wheelchair toppled over the edge of the Cobb harbour .

Despite brave attempts to save her from the murky water she later died in Dorset County Hospital.

An inquest was opened and adjourned in Dorchester today.

Earlier Lyme Regis Town Council expressed its shock and sadness over the tragic death.

In a statement issued on behalf of the whole community Mayor Sally Holman sent their sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of the 20-year-old victim.

She said: “Many thousands of people visit the Cobb every year and nothing like this has happened within living memory.

“The lifeboat crew, coastguards, local boatmen, police, harbour staff, paramedics and members of the public all worked together in a coordinated and professional way to do everything possible to save the young lady but unfortunately were unable to do so.

“The townspeople, including the families of those personally involved in the response teams, join with us in expressing sympathy at this very sad time”.