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Boulders Crash onto Beach, Near Miss for Beachgoers
30 Dec
Summary
- Massive boulders fell onto Barton-on-Sea beach, narrowly missing beachgoers.
- A dog was tragically killed by a similar cliff collapse weeks prior.
- Authorities warn of ongoing danger as cliffs remain unstable.
Massive boulders, some the size of cars, recently cascaded onto the popular beach at Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire. The sudden landslide occurred just minutes after numerous people had been walking in the vicinity of the 130ft high cliffs. Fortunately, New Forest District Council confirmed no injuries were reported from this latest incident, but a strong warning remains in place for people to avoid the unstable cliff area.
Tragically, this is not the first such event. A few weeks prior, a dog named Harley was killed by a rockfall along the same coastline. Its owner, Richard Harding, recounted the horrific experience of watching his spaniel disappear under tonnes of mud and rock, and despite risking his own safety, was unable to rescue the beloved pet.
Despite the inherent dangers, a concerned resident noted that a barrier fence previously put in place by New Forest District Council to prevent access had been pulled down. This exacerbates the risk for beachgoers. Authorities continue to emphasize the unstable nature of the cliffs and advise people to keep a safe distance, stay clear of rough seas, and only visit the beach at low tide.
