All three bodies were found at the bottom of 200ft cliffs

Mother Anne Harris, 29, died with Jamie Hague, 19, and Shaun Sheppard, 17.

The three were informal patients at the Cedars Unit at Wonford House in Exeter, run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

The inquest at County Hall in Exeter heard that Ms Harris seemed to be in a trance and may have been "encouraged" to go over.

I was begging them with my hands to come back over the fence Pc David Wallace

The three patients left the Cedars Unit without informing staff on 12 June, 2002.

The trio died just over five hours after leaving the unit.

Pc David Wallace found the patients at the top of Salcombe Hill.

He said: "I was begging them with my hands to come back over the fence."

He told the inquest that one of the men fell to his death, followed about 20-30 seconds later by the second man and Mrs Harris together.

Pc Wallace added that he was "certain" Mrs Harris did not want to go over the edge with the other two.

'Frozen to the spot'

Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland asked him whether it would be fair to say that the patient with her had "encouraged" Mrs Harris to go over.

"Yes" replied the officer, adding: "His body weight, with his arm over her shoulder, took her over that cliff.

"It looked as if she was frozen to the spot and she was taken over the edge."

The woman shrieked, and I was totally shocked Pc David Wallace

"I asked them to come back but there was no response.

"They were shoulder to shoulder on a piece of headland jutting out, with their backs to me.

He said one of the men put his hands on the ground and went forward and dropped out of sight.

"The woman shrieked, and I was totally shocked," said Pc Wallace.

"The man with then said to her 'let's jump or let's go'.

"Before I could say anything to them they went over the edge and were gone.

"You could say it was like she was in a trance, she did not respond to anything," he added.

Mrs Harris and Mr Sheppard were permitted to leave the unit, but Mr Hague should have had permission.

The police were informed after staff learned the patients had been discussing a suicide pact that lunchtime.

The inquest was adjourned until Monday morning.