A trio of pensioners have been snapped risking their lives by standing on a 150ft cliff just days before it collapsed.
The walkers were photographed at the exact spot that has now tumbled into the ocean in a major rockfall on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset last night (Tuesday, August 8).
The West Bay spot is famous as it’s the location where the popular ITV drama Broadchurch is filmed.
The image shows four people with what looks like greying hair near the site of the rock face collapse.
Two are stood looking over the steep cliff face, whilst one is walking away and another takes a more cautious position, standing back on the nearby grass.
Authorities have asked the public not to venture to the edge of the cliffs and rangers have now closed the part of the South West Coast path that runs along that part of the cliff.
A spokesperson from Dorset Council said: “Solent coastguard have made us aware of this landslip.
“West Bay coastguard have cordoned off the area.
“Our rangers will check the area, make sure there are signs warning people of the dangers and checking the coast path.
“The Jurassic Coast 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, safety messages and the tides.”
The rockfall is not a one off incident – and more are now feared at the stretch, with the last major collapse taking place in May.
Hundreds of tonnes of rock suddenly fell onto the beach on May 21 promoting a huge emergency response.
The heavy recent rainfall has made the area – which is part of Unesco World Heritage Site – particularly vulnerable.
Richard Edmonds, a Dorset geologist recently told DorsetLive: “It’s a continuing problem – the more it rains the greater the chance of a rockfall or a landslide.
“If we had an absolutely torrential downpour it may well cause another one, but otherwise impossible to say.”
West Bay is the real-life setting for the hit ITV crime drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman.
