That’s not going to save you! Fishermen use flimsy sheet of tarpaulin to protect themselves at foot of 150ft Broadchurch cliffs that have seen deadly recent rockfalls
- The trio made the makeshift tent on the beach in Dorset
Three fishermen used a flimsy sheet of tarpaulin to protect themselves as they camped beneath the perilous 150ft ‘Broadchurch‘ cliffs despite recent deadly rockfalls.
The trio made the makeshift tent on the beach at West Bay, Dorset, which is the scene of regular rockfalls. The 185 million-year old sandstone cliffs is the real-life setting for the hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman.
It is the latest example of reckless behaviour at West Bay after a family were photographed having a barbecue on the crumbling cliff top.
On both occasions the alarming mages were taken by drone photographer Daryl Gill, who said some holidaymakers were oblivious to the dangers posed by the 185 million-year-old sandstone cliffs.
Mr Gill said: ‘A few blokes had made a makeshift camp under the cliff while fishing.
Three fishermen used a flimsy sheet of tarpaulin to protect themselves as they camped beneath the perilous 150ft ‘Broadchurch’ cliffs despite recent deadly rockfalls
The trio made the makeshift tent on the beach at West Bay, Dorset, which is the scene of regular rockfalls
The flimsy covering would surely have been no match for hundreds of tonnes of rock that often slip from the 150ft cliffs
It is the latest example of reckless behaviour at West Bay after a family were photographed having a barbecue on the crumbling cliff top
‘When I saw them I was almost speechless at the stupidity.
‘They made a flimsy camp but that would not have done a lot of good in a rockfall.
‘The coastguard arrived and had a word with them.
‘They packed up and left shortly after.
‘I don’t think people think about the danger they are putting themselves in..’
The photos were taken earlier this week.
Hundreds of tonnes of rock suddenly fell onto the beach during the latest rockfall there on May 21.
That incident prompted a huge emergency response amid unfounded fears that members of the public might have been caught underneath the rockfall.
Dozens of beachgoers had been under the cliffs not long before the tonnes of rubble came down. It was put down to heavy rainfall a few days before.
In 2012 tourist Charlotte Blackman, 22, was crushed to death by a huge landslip as she walked under the cliffs further along the World Heritage Site at Burton Bradstock.
Holidaymakers are warned to stay away from the base of the West Bay cliffs, and to keep their dogs on leads near the cliff top.
A Dorset Council spokesperson said: ‘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.’