Recent News! Large rock fall at West Bay on Jurassic Coast

A big stone fall has hit a popular stretch of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. The fire service, coastguards, police and the local authorities were investigating.

It had not been thought that anyone was immobilized following the autumn but geology experts were carrying out further appraisals.

A cordon was put in place and the coastal route closed to Burton Bradstock from the east side of West Bay.

CI Steve White, of Dorset police, said: “Although at this stage it is not thought anyone has been trapped by the fall, I would appeal to the public that, in the unlikely event that you are aware of someone who has not returned home from West Bay this evening, please report the details to the police urgently via 999.

“We would like to remind people that the cliffs remain unstable and it is possible further rock falls could occur.”

“We urge the public to obey warning signs, not to stand near the edge of cliffs or stand directly underneath them. Landslides and rockfalls can happen at any time and without warning.”

West Bay is popular with tourists and holidaymakers and is part of the Jurassic Coast world heritage site.

Cliff autumns and landslips are commonplace on the Jurassic Coast, where the shoreline is being constantly eroded by the power of the sea.

One of the largest was in 2008 when 1,312foot (400 metres) of cliff stolen and obstructed a seashore between Lyme Regis and Charmouth.

Charlotte Blackman was killed when 400 tonnes of rock collapsed on to Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock.