A MAN has tragically died after falling 100ft from a clifftop road in a shocking incident.
Onlookers were traumatised by the “terrifying” moment they saw him plunge onto the beach.
Cops yesterday responded to a report of “concern for welfare” of a man near Boscombe beach in Bournemouth.
Dorset Police confirmed its officers had found and spoken to the man, adding “it was subsequently reported that he has fallen from height”.
In the hot and sunny weather, the sandy beach was packed with people who flocked to the seaside.
One eyewitness was on the beach just in front of the area where he fell, telling Dorset Echo: “I was on the beach directly opposite, getting myself organised and I looked up and saw movement.”
They said they saw the man atop the cliff seconds before he fell, adding the sight was “terrifying” and “very, very sad”.
From further along the beach, another eyewitness said the incident was “horrible”.
They said the man had been stood on top of the Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift before he fell.
Another person nearby said “there were loads of people crying” after the tragic fall.
The force urged members of the public “not to share images and videos of the incident online”.
After his death, a Dorset Police spokesperson said: “The man is yet to be formally identified.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner.
“As police were already in attendance when the fall happened, a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as is standard in incidents of this nature.”
A police cordon was set up and much of the beach cleared to make way for the air ambulance which rushed to the scene.
Multiple emergency vehicles scrambled to the scene, including the air ambulance, paramedics, rapid response vehicle and Dorset Police.
An eyewitness also reported seeing a fire engine respond to the incident.
Concerns were first raised around 11am when cops received a call about the welfare of a man on Southbourne Cliff Drive, by Boscombe beach.
Before the man’s sad death was announced, a spokesperson for the force said: “We were called at 11.19am on Friday 26 June to a concern for welfare on Southbourne Cliff Drive near to Fisherman’s Walk.
“Officers arrived and began to engage with the man. It was subsequently reported that he has fallen from height.
“A police cordon is currently in place while emergency services respond to the incident.
“We are aware there are a large number of people in the area and would ask members of the public not to share images and videos of the incident online.”
