Dorset Police have confirmed that the woman who died after falling from the cliff above Man o’ War Beach next to Durdle Door in Dorset, was in her 40s and from the West Midlands.
Emergency services including ambulance, Kimmeridge and Lulworth Coastguard teams, rescue helicopters, fire crews from Bere Regis, Dorchester and Weymouth and the police were called to the incident just after 3 pm on Monday 14th June 2020.
No suspicious circumstances
While she’s not been named, police say there were no suspicious circumstances.
It’s been reported that people on the beach saw her attempting to climb down the steep cliff towards the beach, shortly before she fell.
Man o’ War Bay is surrounded by steep cliffs
“Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene”
Dorset Police said:
“At 3.07pm on Monday 14th June 202,1 Dorset Police received a report that a woman aged in her 40s from the West Midlands area, had fallen from a cliff at Durdle Door near Lulworth. Officers attended together with other emergency services colleagues.
“Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are supporting her next of kin and will be conducting enquiries following this tragic incident on behalf of HM Coroner. There were no suspicious circumstances.”
Signs point out the dangers of the cliffs to visitors
“Our hearts go out to her family”
Man o’ War Bay is next to Durdle Door and there are steep steps down to the beach, which take about 15 minutes to walk down. The coastline is part of the Lulworth Estate. The estate’s owner, James Weld said:
“Although Dorset Police are investigating, the reports we have received this morning would suggest that this was a tragic accident as a woman attempted to climb down the cliffs above Man o’ War beach, despite many endeavouring to call to her to stop and stay where she was.
“Whatever the circumstances, such a tragedy affects us all and our hearts go out to her family.
“The emergency services responded promptly to the many calls they received.
“Our car parks and routes to the coast have warning signs to stay away from the cliffs and to avoid sitting directly beneath them. We would re-emphasise our safety messages for visitors to respect the inherent risks of our natural environment whether the sea or the cliffs themselves.
“Far too regularly warning signs are ignored, even when reminded by our Rangers, on occasions leading to unnecessary and tragic consequences when they have come to enjoy the Dorset coastline.”
