By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-11 12:41:09 | Updated at 2026-08-11 13:18:13
1 hour ago
A teenage boy has risked his life by posing for a photo on the edge of a crumbling 150ft seaside cliff.
The coastline at West Bay in Dorset, which famously featured in ITV crime drama Broadchurch, is a popular but dangerous tourist attraction which is prone to regular rockfalls.
There have been nine land slips at West Bay so far this year alone. In January around 500 tonnes of rock and boulders the size of small cars fell onto the popular beach, sending a huge dust cloud into the air.
However, despite the imminent danger, a teenage boy was spotted standing perilously near to the cliff edge.
In harrowing pictures, the boy - accompanied by a girl - can be seen uncomfortably close to the 150ft drop to the beach below.
Beneath the boy's feet, there is a huge crack in the 180-million-year-old sandstone cliff that suggests it is a matter of time before it gives way.
Daryl Gill, a visitor to the beach who witnessed the risky action, said: 'They were there for 10 to 15 minutes and also taking photos and selfies.
'You can see the huge crack so if any section is going to go next it will be that one.
In harrowing pictures, a boy - accompanied by a girl - can be seen uncomfortable close to the 150ft drop at West Bay in Dorset
Beneath the boy's feet, there is a huge crack in the 180-million-year-old sandstone cliff that suggests it is a matter of time before it gives way
'It's quite worrying that people don't know the dangers.'
With the persistent hot weather this summer, hundreds of tourists have flocked to coastlines across the south of England to make the most of the heatwaves.
But the increase in visitors has brought with it a concerning rise in the number of day trippers who appear to oblivious the imminent threat to life posed by cliffs.
Last week, tourists at the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in East Sussex were spotted taking pictures right on the edge of the cliff having jumped over a safety railing to get the perfect selfie.
Some visitors checked their phone next to the precipice, seemingly unaware of the mortal danger they could be in.
Others seem to be peering over the 500ft drop that looks onto a pebble beach.
Below, beachgoers can also be seen sitting dangerously close to the cliff base.
Elsewhere in East Sussex, alarming scenes showed members of the public and sometimes children posing for pictures at Seaford Head.
Last week, tourists at the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in East Sussex were spotted taking pictures right on the edge of the cliff having jumped over a safety railing and sat below beachgoers were sitting dangerously close to the cliff base
Seaford Head is riddled with so–called tension cracks – but that didn't stop more than a dozen visitors ignoring warning signs so they could take photographs
The striking white landmark is riddled with tension cracks – but that didn't stop more than a dozen visitors ignoring warning signs so they could take photographs.
Seaford Head attracts thousands of walkers on the King Charles III England Coast Path each year. Sightseers are urged to keep at least five metres from the edge while admiring the Seven Sisters cliffs between Brighton and Eastbourne.
East Sussex County Council has issued a warning to visitors that the cliffs are extremely unstable.
Tourists have died in the past while posing for pictures on the eroding cliffs.
In 2017, South Korean student Hyewon Kim, 23, plunged 200ft to her death after jumping in the air for a photograph on a crumbling clifftop.
And 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.
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.'
In a statement, East Sussex County Council said: 'Every year, thousands of tons of chalk falls from the cliffs.
'Despite warning signs, people often stand near the edge. Chalk cliffs are extremely unstable and can fall at any time.
'People underestimate the risks they are taking.'
