Beach-goers run for their lives as cliff collapses on UK coast
Dorset Council have issued a warning after a rockfall and landslide incident at the cliff at West Bay.
An astonishing video shows the moment beach-goers managed to get out of the way of falling debris after a cliff collapsed on the British coast.
The tense footage, which was sent to Dorset Council by Daniel Knagg, shows members of the public narrowly escape being crushed as rock slid off the cliff on Tuesday evening (8 August).
A number of people can be seen on the beach near the cliffs when a large portion of the cliff crumbles and collapses in their direction.
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The beach-goers were able to flee the scene with their lives as the rock fell to the ground.
The incident, which could have proved fatal, happened at West Bay in Dorset, where a section of the South West Coast Path is now closed.
A large plume of dust was left in the area after the rubble and debris fell. There have been no reported injuries following the incident.
Dorset Council’s tweet which accompanied the video said: “Rockfalls and Landslips can happen at any time.
“These people had a lucky escape. The South West Coast Path above the cliff at West bay is currently closed.”
A Dorset Council spokesperson confirmed that the section of the beach where the collapse happened had been cordoned off by the West Bay coastguard, adding: “Our rangers will check the area, make sure there are signs warning people of the dangers and checking the coast path.
“The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit but it's important to use common sense and caution - stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs, safety messages and the tides."
Another major rockfall happened in the same area in May.
A stretch of the beast on the Jurassic Coast was cordoned off after the fall at East Beach, West Bay, which is near Bridport.
The BBC reported that coastguards, police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the beach after a member of the public raised the alarm that people might have been below the cliffs.
Due to the high tide and risk of another collapse, a drone and CCTV from a nearby pier were used to confirm nobody was trapped in the debris following the fall.
Gregory Robinson