London: Couple die on Morocco holiday in separate falls

Four children were left orphaned after their mother and father died in separate falls while on holiday in Morocco.

British and Moroccan officials are investigating whether it was suicide or a shocking coincidence after the couple died just days apart, Associated Press reports.

Some reports said they both fell from balconies while other said the mother, Mathilde Lamb, 43, fell from a third-floor apartment balcony and her husband died after falling down a flight of stairs at a five-star hotel.

The British embassy in Rabat said Mathilde Lamb, 43, died on August 20, three days after falling from a third-floor apartment where the family was staying in the Atlantic coastal resort of Essaouira.

Her husband, Roger, a successful geotechnical engineer, died the next day after falling at a five-star city hotel, the Essaouira Sofitel, the U.K's Daily Telegraph reports.

The Telegraph reported it was an apparent suicide.

Tilly and Roger Lamb died while holidaying with sons Angus, 16, Monty, 15, Henry, 11, and Felix, nine.who are being looked after by an aunt in England.

AP reports:

The couple's families said they were ''deeply shocked and saddened by their tragic deaths''.

The Daily Mail reported that the Lamb family was holidaying in Morocco while discussing whether or not they would emigrate from their home in Britain to start a new life in New Zealand.

Mr Lamb, a geotechnical engineer, had been working in Christchurch as part of earthquake rebuilding projects.

Mrs Lamb ran an upmarket bed and breakfast in Worcestershire.

Britain's Foreign Office said that diplomats were providing consular assistance to the family and that the circumstances of the deaths were still unclear.

One of the family's neighbors said: ''It is an absolute tragedy for their lovely boys.''

Family spokesman Mark Rogerson said: “The only two people who know for sure are no longer here", the Daily Mirror reports.

Mr Rogerson, 62, who is Tilly’s brother-in-law, added: “What has happened is tragic but any suggestion that either of the deaths is being treated as ­suspicious is untrue at this stage.

“As far as the family is concerned, Tilly fell from a balcony and Roger fell down a flight of stairs and the events are unconnected.

“Of course we understand that sort of thing does not happen every day but we have no reason to think they are anything other than coincidental accidents.”