BEACHGOERS had a lucky escape when they found themselves yards from a massive rockfall in west Dorset.

Dramatic footage of the landslip, which occurred on East Cliff, West Bay, on Tuesday evening, was captured by Daniel Knagg.

It shows part of the cliff giving way and tonnes of rock crashing onto East Beach at the resort.

People can be seen close to the significant rockfall and then running away fast as it falls. Others can be sending heading in the direction of the rockfall after it fell.

Dorset Council said in a tweet at 11.58am today (August 10): "Rockfalls and Landslips can happen at anytime. These people had a lucky escape.

"The South West Coast Path above the cliff at West Bay is currently closed. Thanks to Daniel Knagg for the footage."

 

 

The cliff fall came after periods of torrential rain over the past few days followed by warm weather.

Storm Antoni battered parts of Dorset with heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday.

The latest rockfall serves as a reminder of the danger at the coast.

A massive landslide blocked off the beach at Seatown just over two weeks ago.

It is believed to have been the biggest in recent years.

East Cliff gave way on a Sunday evening when, just two hours before, the beach had been busy with locals and holidaymakers making the most of a scorching hot day.

Despite this, and the many warning signs in place, people were pictured at the cliff edge just three days later.

And the Esplanade remains closed off to the public due to a rockfall at West Cliff back in January.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said at the time: "Rockfalls can, and do, happen at any time.

"The Jurassic Coast looks the way it does because of erosion - meaning it is always on the move.

"It is a wonderful place to visit, but it's important to use common sense and caution stay away from the edge and base of cliffs and always pay attention to warning signs and safety messages."

In the past, geologist Sam Scriven told us the location of West Bay's cliffs means they face the 'full force' of any storm and 'bear the brunt' of bad weather.

He said people should respect the landscape and use common sense at the beach.

"People think of the British seaside as a lovely, safe, family place but the beach is part of the wilderness and nature is doing its thing there," he said.

"People need to be respectful of that. We can't close off the beach but people need to be aware of the risks. They are beautiful cliffs and people like to marvel at them but respect them as you would the sea and act responsibly."