A 'determined' and 'precious' young woman who plunged to her death after falling from a cliff edge after a night out in Cornwall had been trying to walk home, an inquest heard.
Megan Thornton, 23, had only been at the seafront property for a short while when she was told she could not stay the night because 15 family members were already sleeping at the centuries-old cottage.
She was said to have willingly accepted this and left the property to go home, but walked just two steps before she plummeted from the 25-ft cliff and on to the rocks below.
An inquest heard the assistant marketing manager was unable to be saved despite courageous efforts from those in the cottage and paramedics at the scene.
The coroner concluded that Ms Thornton's death was a 'tragic accident'.
Megan Thornton was described by her family as 'determined' and 'precious' - and had set out to walk home on the night of her death
Ms Thornton ultimately died of her injuries after falling 25 feet from a cliff on to rocks below (Pictured: Cliffs overlooking Widemouth Bay)
Ms Thornton had been on a night out in Bude, Cornwall with friends in July 2022 when she met Charlie Pengilly and accompanied him back to the cottage overlooking Widemouth Bay where he was staying with family members.
A short while later, she was told she was unable to stay at the property and left the cottage via the back door with Mr Pengilly, who promptly attempted to call her a taxi.
The cottage was located just 30ft from the cliff edge, which was usually illuminated with solar lights, but these were not activated on the night of Ms Thornton's death.
Cornwall's Coroner's Court in Truro was told there was no fencing to protect ...