Tombstone jumpers are injured at West beach
SCORES of people have defied attempts to close the beach at Durdle Door in Dorset after three people were seriously injured jumping off cliffs into the sea there on Saturday.
So-called tombstoners could even be seen jumping from the 200ft high sea arch again on Sunday despite the dangers.
Police, the ambulance service, the coastguard and the RNLI attended the beauty spot after Saturday’s incidents
Air ambulances landed at the scene and crowds of people were evacuated from the beach and surrounding cliff area.
Dorset Police confirmed that three people had sustained serious injuries on Saturday.
That evening, Dorset council said Durdle Door and nearby Lulworth Cove would be closed “until further notice”.
Dorset Police also tweeted: “Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove remain closed today along with approach roads to the area. Please do not travel as you will be turned away.”
But despite this, images taken on Sunday showed people on the beach and even jumping into the sea.
Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) posted on Facebook that people had been jumping from the arch “encouraged by the crowds on the beach” on Saturday.
As well as the three injured men, police had to deal with alcohol-fuelled minor scuffles.
A woman also suffered a suspected broken ankle on Saturday and there was a small but out of control fire from a BBQ.
“Upsetting scenes like we and many others witnessed yesterday illustrate how very dangerous tombstoning is. We couldn’t discourage it enough,” the CRT said.
In Cornwall police were given powers to enforce dispersal orders in Bude after “large gatherings” were reported at a popular beach.
Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Inspector Morris revealed that large groups gathered on the sand dunes at Summerleaze Beach on Friday, May 29 and left behind a “substantial” amount of litter and mess.
He took to social media this afternoon to warn that Bude Police had placed a dispersal order covering the town, which would be in place for a 48-hour period.
Ch Insp Morris warned that anyone who was likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress by their actions or behaviour in Bude town and beaches”, would be dispersed.
If the person then returns to the area with the 48-hour period, they “will be liable to arrest and prosecution”.
The warning on the Bude Police Facebook page, read: “After reports of large gatherings on the sand dunes at Summerleaze beach Bude, on Friday 29th May 2020, and the substantial litter and mess left behind, we have taken the decision to place a dispersal order for 48 hours under section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
“This is in place for 48 hours and will allow Officers to disperse anyone likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress by their actions or behaviour in Bude Town and Beaches. If dispersed persons return to the area within the 48 hours, they will be liable to arrest and prosecution.
“This is obviously in conjunction with the current COVID-19 legislation where no more than two people should be meeting in public.
“Please help keep our town safe and clean.