A day at the British seaside turned into a heart-stopping brush with disaster for one sunbather, who narrowly avoided being crushed by a car-sized boulder that suddenly broke free from a cliff.
The dramatic incident unfolded on a sunny afternoon, serving as a terrifying reminder of the hidden dangers posed by crumbling coastlines. The entire event was captured in a shocking video that has since gone viral.
The footage shows a scene of tranquil relaxation suddenly erupt into chaos. Without any obvious warning, a gigantic section of the cliff face gives way. A massive rock, weighing several tonnes, sheers off and tumbles down the sandy slope, sending up a huge cloud of dust on impact.
Miraculously, the individual sunbathing on the beach was just far enough away to avoid being struck. The rock landed with an earth-shaking thud mere metres from where they were lying, leaving other witnesses on the beach visibly shocked and scrambling to move to a safer distance.
Geologists and coastal experts warn that such events are becoming increasingly common. The relentless forces of coastal erosion, exacerbated by winter storms and wet weather, constantly weaken cliff faces across the UK. This makes seemingly stable cliffs potential hazards, especially during the warmer months when beaches are crowded with families.
Local authorities have reiterated safety warnings, urging the public to always pay attention to warning signs, stay away from the base of cliffs, and avoid sitting directly underneath them, no matter how safe they may appear.
This incredibly close call underscores the powerful and unpredictable nature of our coastline and serves as a critical public safety reminder for anyone planning a trip to the beach this year.
