A man has died after falling approximately 100 feet from a cliff in Bournemouth, with horrified beachgoers witnessing the incident. Screams of 'oh my God' were heard as emergency services responded to Southbourne Overcliff Drive, near Fisherman's Walk, at around 11:20 a.m. on Friday.
Police Referral to IOPC
Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to prior contact officers had with the man before his death. The force stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious and that the self-referral is standard practice in such circumstances. The man has not yet been formally identified.
Eyewitness Accounts
One eyewitness, who was on the beach directly opposite the cliff lift, told the Dorset Echo: 'I was on the beach directly opposite, getting myself organised and I looked up and saw movement.' They described seeing a man engaging atop the cliff moments before he fell, calling the incident 'terrifying' and 'very, very sad.'
Another beachgoer, sitting in front of the lift, did not see the fall but heard a nearby woman scream 'oh my God.' A further witness described the event as 'horrible.'
Emergency Response
Multiple emergency vehicles scrambled to the scene, including an air ambulance, paramedics, a rapid response vehicle, and Dorset Police. An eyewitness also reported seeing a fire engine respond. A police cordon was put in place while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Police Statement
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 11:19 a.m. on Friday 26 June to a concern for welfare on Southbourne Cliff Drive near to Fisherman's Walk. Officers arrived and began to engage with the man. It was subsequently reported that he has fallen from height. A police cordon is currently in place while emergency services respond to the incident. We are aware there are a large number of people in the area and would ask members of the public not to share images and videos of the incident online.'
The force added that the large number of people present may have been traumatised, and urged respect for the man's family.
