Two young women were spotted taking a dangerous risk by sitting precariously close to the edge of a 150-foot cliff, just weeks after a significant rockfall at West Bay.
Unaware of the risks, they sat arm-in-arm, enjoying the sunset with the jagged cliff edge beneath them.
The area they chose to sit on was known to have a massive crack running through it, which made it extremely unstable.
The Danger Lurking Beneath
The cliff at West Bay has seen its share of rockfalls, with a major section of it collapsing just three weeks earlier.
A 50-foot-wide portion of the cliff gave way, sending hundreds of tonnes of rock crashing down to the beach below.
This region, which gained fame as a backdrop in the ITV series Broadchurch, is known for its regular rockfalls.
In fact, this year alone, there have been seven such incidents.
The spot where the women sat has a visible crack in the rock face, suggesting it could be the next part of the cliff to crumble.
The Local Outrage
A local resident, who witnessed the women on the cliff edge, expressed frustration, pointing out how well-known the cliffs are for being dangerous and unstable.
The resident remarked that the women were sitting on one of the most notorious outcrops—one that had a similar appearance to the area that collapsed the previous year.
There’s a call for more warning signs to be placed in the area to prevent others from risking their lives for a view.
Unpredictable Rockfalls on the Jurassic Coast
The cliffs at West Bay, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast, are increasingly affected by coastal erosion and extreme weather.
These conditions are causing unpredictable rockfalls, endangering both beachgoers and walkers who frequent the area year-round.
Experts warn that large sections of the cliffs could collapse at any moment, potentially causing destruction in their path.
Sam Scriven, head of heritage and conservation at the Jurassic Coast Trust, remarked that rockfalls in the region have been more frequent than ever before, especially since last winter.
A History of Tragedy
The cliffs have claimed lives in the past, with the most recent fatality occurring in 2012 when 22-year-old Charlotte Blackman from Derbyshire was tragically killed by a rockfall.
The incident took place near Burton Bradstock, just a couple of miles east of West Bay.
Since then, the area has seen dozens of landslides, and experts say the true number of rockfalls may be even higher than reported.
Following severe storms like Storm Kathleen in April, the cliffs experienced two massive rockfalls, further highlighting the unpredictability of the region’s coastal erosion.
The Ongoing Risk
As coastal erosion continues to weaken the cliffs, there’s growing concern over what might happen next.
With the potential for more landslides and rockfalls in the coming months, the authorities and locals are increasingly aware of the dangers posed by these ancient cliffs.
The warning signs are in place, but it seems that some visitors still underestimate the risk, putting themselves in harm’s way for a fleeting moment of natural beauty.
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