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Safety reviewed after cliff death Vain bid to 'dig out' cliff woman
(about 2 hours later)
A safety review is to be carried out at a beach where a woman was crushed to death by a cliff fall in Cumbria. The partner of a woman killed when a cliff face in West Cumbria crumbled burying her under tonnes of rock has told how he tried to rescue her.
Copeland Borough Council said it would review the fencing at South Beach in Whitehaven, after the 55-year-old woman died on Monday. Malcolm Stanley, 60, tried to help Caroline Palser, 50, of Frizington, by digging with his "bare hands."
Caroline Palser, of Frizington, was killed when the cliff collapsed on top of her as she walked on the beach. The accident happened at South Beach, Whitehaven, while the couple watched rough waves on New Year's Day.
There were warnings signs about erosion in the area last month and fences were erected. These will now be reviewed. Last month parts of the cliff collapsed and Copeland Council is reviewing the effectiveness of fences in the area.
Fences and erosion warning signs were erected last month after a five metre stretch of the cliff fell off into the sea.
Ms Palser had been walking some 20 yards behind Mr Stanley, close to the cliff edge, when it suddenly gave way and collapsed, covering her in debris.
Mr Stanley said: "It was just terrible luck. If we had been five minutes earlier or five minutes later, this would never have happened.
" I suppose we both knew it was a bit of a dangerous place. It had collapsed before.
"I never even heard the rock fall. She was absolutely covered in rock. I would say there was probably about five tonnes of rubble.
"I ran over and tried to dig her out. I was using my hands and trying to move as much of the rocks as fast as possible, but there was just so much of it."
Health and safety officials will inspect the area on Tuesday and enforcement officers will be on site to keep people away from the cliff edge.Health and safety officials will inspect the area on Tuesday and enforcement officers will be on site to keep people away from the cliff edge.
Council chief executive Liam Murphy, said: "We are concerned and we do suspect that it is possible for people to jump off the footpath to access the beach that way. Adverse weather
"We will look to see if we need additional fencing put up. Council chief executive Liam Murphy, said: "We will look to see if we need additional fencing put up.
"In situations like this it is not possible to fence off the whole area. We fenced off all along the edge which was at risk and we fenced off access through the public footpath."In situations like this it is not possible to fence off the whole area. We fenced off all along the edge which was at risk and we fenced off access through the public footpath.
"That was right action to take at the time.""That was right action to take at the time."
Adverse weather
Ms Palser had been watching rough waves during a New Year's walk with her partner at the time of her death, police said.Ms Palser had been watching rough waves during a New Year's walk with her partner at the time of her death, police said.
A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it was believed heavy winds and rainfall had probably weakened the cliff face.A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said it was believed heavy winds and rainfall had probably weakened the cliff face.
"We understand she was walking long the shore and part of the cliff face, about 20ft (6m) high, gave way and buried her."We understand she was walking long the shore and part of the cliff face, about 20ft (6m) high, gave way and buried her.
"We assisted to make the area safe and to get the lady out, but she was pronounced dead.""We assisted to make the area safe and to get the lady out, but she was pronounced dead."