Jurassic Coast cliff collapses in Dorset as Bank Holiday visitors told ‘stay away’

The major rock fall took place on Dorset's iconic Jurassic Coast
Dorset Council UK

Visitors have been warned to stay away from one of Dorset's most famous beauty spots after a section of cliff crumbled to the ground.

Emergency services rushed to the Jurassic Coast after a major rock fall hit a popular beach in the early hours of Saturday.

Fire crews used thermal imaging to check for any trapped casualties but nothing was found.

The local fire service urged people to keep their distance over the Bank Holiday weekend, saying recent stormy weather had made the cliffs “very unstable.”

Cynthia Justham, who went for a walk on the beach later in the morning, said visitors seemed oblivious to how "dangerous and unpredictable" the cliffs are.

She told the BBC: "Sadly already people are walking right up to it and on it – they don't seem to realise more could fall on top of them at any time and they'd have no time to get out of the way.”

The incident took place at Hive Beach near the village of Burton Bradstock shortly before 6.30am.

In a warning to potential visitors, Bridgeport Fire Station said in a statement: “Please keep away from the cliffs and do not climb over the rock fall.

“We have had a lot of rain and strong stormy seas battering the cliffs making them very unstable.

“Cliff falls can happen at anytime without warning.

“Enjoy the the bank holiday weekend and stay safe.”

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