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Scotland & NI 148/01
24 May 2001
CLIFF PLUNGE TRAGEDY
by
Gayle Nicol, Simon Johnson and Gavin Roberts
A teenager who
was set to celebrate his 19th birthday has died after
plunging from cliffs.
Lee Pazdziorek slipped and fell 140ft down a sheer rock face
at a scenic Stonehaven landmark on 23 May 2001.
He had been walking with a friend at Downie Point near the
town.
It is understood the pair split up and when his friend
couldn't find him, he alerted police, fearing he may have
fallen. |
Pictured:
Lee Pazdziorek:
He had been out with a friend.
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Lee
was due to celebrate his 19th birthday with family and friends
on Saturday.
His dad David, of the town's Brickfield Road, said he was
devastated by the tragedy.
"Lee loved nature and walking in the outdoors," he
said.
"He used to go there to Downie Point to think. He was
always helping other people out.
"When police knocked on the door, I thought they were
joking."
A search was immediately launched after Lee's friend reported
him missing.
The hunt involved Stonehaven's Maritime Rescue International,
RAF Lossiemouth, Coastguard teams, and police.
They started scouring the harbour area shortly after 11pm and
the lifeboat crew recovered his body at the foot of the rocky
cliffs just after midnight.
Maritime Rescue International managing director Hamish
McDonald said the body was found at an area known as Slough of
Downie,
Mr. McDonald added: "There is a history of casualties in
that area. There is no railing along the top and it is a very
bad place to be at night."
His mum Ann, who lives at Newtonhill, and siblings Debbie,
Claire, and Ritchie, also survive Lee.
A Grampian Police spokeswoman said there were no suspicious
circumstances.
She added: "Early indications show that this was a tragic
accident."
Story and picture courtesy
Aberdeen Press and Journal |
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