Woman killed in landslide at Freshwater Beach, Burton Bradstock
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Tributes have been paid to a 22-year-old woman who died after being buried under hundreds of tonnes of rocks following a landslip on a Dorset beach.
Charlotte Blackman, of Derbyshire, was walking on Hive Beach near Freshwater Beach Holiday Park at Bridport when the rocks came down on Tuesday.
Her uncle Douglas Blackman described her as a "lively, fun-loving woman".
Ms Blackman, her boyfriend and her father were all buried when the 160ft (49m) high cliff above them collapsed.
The men were pulled free by bystanders but they could not locate Ms Blackman.
Her body was found by emergency workers at 21:40 BST within the 33ft (10m) high pile of fallen rocks.
Witnesses at the beach said Ms Blackman, from Heanor, had been seen walking directly under the cliff.
Picture by Martin Cox, via www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-18979930
At approximately 9.40pm on Tuesday, 24 July 2012, search crews located a body on Burton Bradstock beach.
The body is believed to be that of a 22 year-old woman, reported missing earlier in the day following the landslide at the location.
Next of kin are aware and family liaison officers are supporting the family. The coroner has been informed.
At this time there are no further reports of missing people at the location and the search operation will now be stood down.
It is believed the incident was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.
The Dorset Local Resilience forum which comprises Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue, all local councils and HM Coastguard amongst others, is advising residents and visitors to West Dorset to avoid cliffs and beaches with a cliff backdrop, following the significant landslide today.
"Following an incident this afternoon at Burton Bradstock, all coastal paths and beaches between Lyme Regis and West Bexington are closed for periodic review by geologists to ensure safety."
– DORSET LOCAL RESILIENCE FORUM
And here is a closer shot of the closure of the coast path at West Bay, courtesy of Louise Matthews.
This photograph was taken a few moments after the landslip occurred, by a man fishing off Burton Bradstock. (screengrab from ITV Westcountry video on Vimeo)
The coast path at West Bay has been closed to the public, following fears of further landslips along the coast east of Lyme Regis. Picture by Louise Matthews
Earlier this evening, a press conference with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service's Mick Stead, confirming that they were involved with a rescue operation for a person trapped underneath the 400 ton landslide.
The events have not affected tourists making the most of the sunshine on what has been one of the hottest days so far this year.
On the south eastern side of the landslip, Hive Beach has been cordoned off because of the continued high risk of further landslips. Photograph by Stephen Banks.
A rescue team head to the site of the landslide.
Interview with an eye witness at the scene, from ITV News.
www.itv.com/news/westcountry/story/2012-07-24/burton-bradstock-landslide/
Picture of the joint rescue operation - Dorset Media Service
Close shot of emergency services at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, taken by ITV Westcountry.
Wide shot of emergency services at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, taken by ITV Westcountry.
This was the scene in Burton Bradstock 17 days ago - recent flooding has probably played a big part in the landslide this afternoon. Picture by Charlie Ward. Full story of the Bridport floods here: bridport.n0tice.com/report/5388/latest-flood-news-in-bridport
A view from the water, credit ITV Westcountry.
This view shows how much of the cliff has fallen on to Burton Bradstock beach. Picture by Leonard Muggeridge
Picture of the scene at Burton Bradstock beach. Picture credit ITV West.
www.itv.com/news/story/2012-07-24/freshwater-burton-bradstock-landslide-dorset/
Eye witnesses say that the person trapped is a 23-year-old woman.
Live feed on the ITV News website: www.itv.com/news/story/2012-07-24/freshwater-burton-bradstock-landslide-dorset/
Ambulance services have confirmed that there is one person trapped underneath the landslide at Burton Bradstock.
There are reports that a landslide has happened at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park. People are feared to be trapped and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service are working with the coastguard. The incident was reported at 12:30PM
