Body of missing Preston cyclist found near cliffs on Dorset coast

The body of a 54-year-old man from Preston, who went missing on a mountain bike ride in Hampshire's New Forest, has been found.
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Martin Turner, from Totton, Hampshire - who is originally from Ashton - was found dead on the Dorset coast on Sunday, August 16.

Police said the death of the keen cyclist, whose body was found 24 hours after he was reported missing, is not being treated as suspicious.

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Martin had last been seen leaving his home to go on an off-trail bike ride through the New Forest at around 8am on Saturday, August 15.

Martin Turner, 54, from Totton, Hampshire, but originally from Preston, was found dead near Old Harry Rocks on the Dorset coast on Sunday, August 16. Pic: Hampshire PoliceMartin Turner, 54, from Totton, Hampshire, but originally from Preston, was found dead near Old Harry Rocks on the Dorset coast on Sunday, August 16. Pic: Hampshire Police
Martin Turner, 54, from Totton, Hampshire, but originally from Preston, was found dead near Old Harry Rocks on the Dorset coast on Sunday, August 16. Pic: Hampshire Police

Police issued an appeal for help from the public later that day amid mounting concerns for his safety after he failed to return home.

Local cycling groups rallied together to join in the search for Martin, whose body was found by officers the next day near the famous chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast.

Police informed the coastguard of their discovery and his body was recovered.

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Mr Turner’s family, including those living in Preston, have been informed.

Martin Turner, 54, who grew up in Ashton and has family in Preston, disappeared on a bike ride in Hampshire on Saturday, August 15 before his body was found the next day along the Dorset coast. Pic: Hampshire PoliceMartin Turner, 54, who grew up in Ashton and has family in Preston, disappeared on a bike ride in Hampshire on Saturday, August 15 before his body was found the next day along the Dorset coast. Pic: Hampshire Police
Martin Turner, 54, who grew up in Ashton and has family in Preston, disappeared on a bike ride in Hampshire on Saturday, August 15 before his body was found the next day along the Dorset coast. Pic: Hampshire Police

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Officers searching for missing person Martin Turner (54) from Totton have found a body.

"We can confirm the death is being treated as non-suspicious and we are carrying out enquiries on behalf of the coroner.

"His next of kin have been informed."