West Bay: Emergency services at cliff fall at Dorset coast

Part of a cliff gave way at West Bay.

Drone footage of the cliff fall taken by Robert Cox
 

HM Coastguard received a flurry of 999 calls from members of the public on the beach and fishermen out on the water at around 6.45pm.

They reported a cliff fall along East Beach and some suggested there may have been people near the area at around that time. 

No one was reported missing or injured, however a thorough search will always be carried out to make certain.  

Picture: Jennifer Mulcahey

West Bay coastguard rescue team led the search operation, with support from Dorset Police officers and firefighters from Bridport, Dorchester and Weymouth.  

South Western Ambulance service sent one ambulance and its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), which works alongside emergency services within hazardous environments.

Picture: Jennifer Mulcahey 

High tide and the risk of another fall made access to the area impossible.

READ: Tragedy as woman dies at Dorset beach

A drone was sent to check the area and nothing was found.

Accounts from those who saw the collapse while out on the water suggested no one was in the area at the time of the collapse.

The Environment Agency checked CCTV from East Pier and confirmed no one was on the footpath or beneath the cliff at the time. 

Entrance to the beach has been cordoned off, as has the coast path between West Bay and Freshwater, and the area will be assessed by Dorset Council today. 

Pictures taken by the Bridport News earlier the same evening, prior to the cliff collapse, show beachgoers beneath the base of the cliffs on what was a gloriously hot - and busy - day at the beach. 

Picture: Jennifer Mulcahey 

Thankfully, the tide was already coming in and the area was clear by time it did give way.

There are numerous warning signs at various locations near the beach and cliffs warning people of the risk of rockfalls. 
 

Rockfalls can happen at any time but are more likely after periods of extreme weather - a prime example being Friday's torrential rain followed by a weekend of scorching heat.

Back in January, a huge cliff fall took place in the same area after days of heavy rain. 

Part of the beach was cut off, with no access to Burton Bradstock from West Bay and vice versa.

Advice

The Jurassic Coast Trust has the following advice for staying safe at the coast:

• When visiting the Jurassic Coast, do not take unnecessary risks and stay away from the edge of the cliff top
• Stay away from the base of cliffs: rock falls can happen at any time
• Do not climb or walk over landslide or rock fall debris, especially after wet weather
• Always pay attention to warning signs; they are there to advise you on how to stay safe
• Check the weather forecast before you go
• Beware of steep, shelving beaches and large waves
• Be aware of tide times. The sea comes in and out twice a day and it is possible to get cut off by the incoming tide or forced up against the cliffs