Walkers enjoying a sunset stroll on a famous Dorset beach were forced to run for their lives this week when a massive section of cliff face collapsed without warning.
The Moment of the Collapse
The dramatic incident occurred at 4pm on Tuesday at West Bay, part of the 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. A sizable portion of the 150-foot cliff gave way, sending an estimated 500 tonnes of rock and boulders – some the size of small cars – crashing onto the popular beach below.
Suzanne Sears, a 49-year-old visitor from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was on the beach with her family. She described the terrifying moments leading up to the collapse. "There were a lot of people on the beach because it was a beautiful time of the day," she said. "Luckily we were all able to realise something was about to happen because of the loud cracking and rumbling sounds which gave everyone time to get out of the way."
She recounted how the cliff initially began crumbling lightly before the major collapse. "It was just an absolute massive rockfall which fell and crashed straight down onto the beach, right to the sea," Mrs Sears said. "It made such a loud noise it was like a building being demolished."
Aftermath and Official Warnings
The fall created a 30-foot high pile of sandstone rubble and a huge dust cloud that, according to witnesses, could be tasted at the back of the throat. Coastguards were swiftly called to the scene to check if anyone was trapped beneath the debris, but miraculously, no one was injured.
Dorset Council issued a stern reminder about coastal safety following the event. A spokesperson stated: "Rockfalls and landslips can happen at any time. If you are out on the coast, please stay safe by taking notice of warning signs and keep to existing paths. Stay away from the edge and the base of cliffs." The council also noted that such events are part of the natural movement that shapes this unique coastline.
A History of Instability
Rockfalls are common along the cliffs at West Bay, which gained fame as a filming location for the TV drama Broadchurch. They are typically caused by heavy rainfall seeping into and weakening the sandstone rock over time. This incident is one of several to have occurred this year alone.
The event serves as a tragic reminder of the very real dangers posed by the crumbling cliffs. In 2012, 22-year-old tourist Charlotte Blackman was tragically crushed to death by a rockfall while walking under cliffs at nearby Burton Bradstock.
Despite the danger, Mrs Sears noted a silver lining to the terrifying event, saying, "It was also quite magical seeing rocks that haven't been exposed for millions of years." Authorities continue to urge the public to respect warning signs and maintain a safe distance from the unstable cliff edges.
