Cliff death not accidental, coroner hints

 An RAF veteran may have been pushed to his death from a cliff in Italy, an inquest has heard.

Russell Cowan, 44, died of “catastrophic” head injuries after falling over a fence near his hotel in Menaggio on June 5 last year.

James Newman, the Derbyshire assistant coroner, said there were “still countless unanswered questions”.

Recording an open conclusion, he said he would contact the Foreign Office, consular officials and police over his “concerns” about statements given by people claiming to have witnessed him fall to his death.

Chesterfield coroner’s court was told the ex-serviceman and a group of friends taking part in a charity car rally had gone out to socialise in the town, near Milan, on the evening of June 4.

Between 1am and 1.30am, Mr Cowan decided to walk back to his hotel, but never made it to his room. Dr Stuart Hamilton, a forensic pathologist at the Home Office, told the inquest: “It’s possible he could have been pushed, but I’m not sufficiently certain of this.”