British scientist dies in cliff rock fall 'freak accident' on Madagascan beach

Stock photo, Andavadoaka beach, Madagascar: Getty

A marine biologist from Hertfordshire has been killed on a beach in Madagascar after a cliff collapsed while he was sitting by a camp fire.

Nick Paige, 24, from Codicote near Welwyn Garden City, died along with French marine biologist Stephanie Bollard, 26, on 13 October at Andavadoaka.

They both worked for the marine conservation organisation Blue Ventures, and a third colleague sustained a broken wrist in the incident.

Blue Ventures' managing director, Richard Nimmo, said the company had been left shocked by the news, and described the incident as a "freak accident", according to the BBC.

He added: "An overhang above a beach site regularly used for camp fires by our team collapsed."

Mr Paige was working with local communities to conserve threatened marine environments, and was described by his company as a "passionate conservationist".

He studied marine biology and oceanography at Bangor University, and had worked in marine conservation in Belize and Fiji before moving to Madagascar.

The Foreign Office confirmed to the BBC that it is providing consular assistance to Mr Paige's family.


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