Search after cliff fall at West Bay, Dorset

There has been a substantial cliff fall at West Bay, Dorset this evening (16 August)

UK Coastguard received a 999 call from a kayaker who witnessed the fall from the water at around 7:40 today.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from West Bay and Lyme Regis, the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Portland, Dorset Police, the Police helicopter, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Urban Search and Rescue Team have all been sent to the area to establish if anyone was caught in the cliff fall. South West Ambulance Service is also in attendance.

There are no reports of missing people in the area, as a precaution a specialist Fire Service search and rescue dog has been brought in to confirm that no one is trapped under the rock fall.

Peter Davies, Duty Controller, UK Coastguard said:

“Although no one was seen to be under the cliff at the time, we will continue the search until we are satisfied, along with the other agencies involved, that a thorough and extensive search has been completed.”
 
“Cordons have been put in place along the coastal path and we are advising people to stay away at this time. This evening’s rock fall clearly shows how unstable cliff edges can be, so please keep your distance from the cliff edge at both the top and the bottom of the cliffs at all times."

 

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