Dramatic footage shows partial cliff collapse at Marsden Bay

A shocking video clip recorded by a dog walker captured a partial cliff collapse at Marsden Bay.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Samantha Lawson, from Jarrow, was walking along Marsden Beach with her partner Lewis and dog Vinnie, something they do every weekend, when the incident happened on Saturday, January 30.

The 29-year-old said the collapse started with a few small rocks falling before another part of the cliff then gave way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She told the Gazette: “We were just walking from the Marsden Grotto steps, as we do every weekend, and Lewis always says that ‘it won’t be long until the cliff gives way’.

Northumbria Police and the Coastguard launched a joint operation in the aftermath of the incident. Picture: Samantha Lawson.Northumbria Police and the Coastguard launched a joint operation in the aftermath of the incident. Picture: Samantha Lawson.
Northumbria Police and the Coastguard launched a joint operation in the aftermath of the incident. Picture: Samantha Lawson.
Read More
Boris Johnson writes open letter to parents, carers and guardians - this is what...

"Then all of a sudden, a few tiny rocks started to fall so I started to video it and the whole cliff just gave way.

"I give out a bit of a nervous laugh in the video as I was a bit concerned for the dog, we always throw rocks on the beach for him as he likes to chase them, so I thought he was going to run over to it.

"Thankfully we weren’t any closer to the cliffs and I think it is quite fortunate that no one was really on the beach at the time as it is usually pretty busy.

“It’s just crazy that we were able to catch it on camera.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After Samantha raised the alarm with the emergency services, Northumbria Police launched a joint operation with the Coastguard to ensure the area was safe.

"The coastguard have checked it over and it has been deemed safe to members of the pubic.”

A Sunderland Coastguard spokesperson added: “Cliffs can be more unstable than they look, and cliff falls/landslides can happen without warning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Take note of any warning signs, don’t climb over fences to get to/or approach the cliff edge and never climb the cliff as a short cut to the top.

"Tragedy could easily occur if any of the above advice is ignored.”

South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade also attended the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday.

A statement added: “This shows the dangers of going close to the cliff base when on the beach, please stay at least 10 metres from cliffs.”

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.

Related topics: