Screams of 'oh my God' as man dies after falling 100ft from cliff in front of beachgoers

Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to contact officers had with the man before his death, which is not being treated as suspicious

14:13, 27 Jun 2026Updated 14:13, 27 Jun 2026

Tragedy struck in front of beachgoers(Image: Getty Images)

A man has died after falling 100ft from a cliff in front of horrified beachogers. Screams oh "oh my God" could be heard in Dorset as police were called to Southbourne Overcliff Drive, near Fisherman's Walk, in Bournemouth, at around 11.20am on Friday.

The call came just after concerns were raised over the welfare of a man in the area. Officers arrived and began speaking to the man from a distance, the BBC reports.. He then fell from height, and a short time later it was confirmed he had died at the scene.

Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to contact officers had with the man before his death, which is not being treated as suspicious. The man is yet to be formally identified. The force said self-referral is standard practice in such situations.

[Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ]

Dorset Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) (Image: PA)

A spokesperson said a large number of people were in the area at the time and urged members of the public not to share images or videos online.

Meanwhile, beachgoers said they were left traumatised after witnessing the "terrifying" incident.. Multiple emergency vehicles scrambled to the scene, including an air ambulance, paramedics, rapid response vehicle and Dorset Police.

An eyewitness also reported seeing a fire engine respond to the incident.

One eyewitness was on the beach in front of the Fishermans Walk Cliff Lift when the man fell. They told the Dorset Echo: "I was on the beach directly opposite, getting myself organised and I looked up and saw movement," she said.

She said she saw a man engaging atop the cliff moments before he fell.

The eyewitness described the incident as terrifying and very, very sad.

[Beachgoers said they were left traumatised]

Beachgoers said they were left traumatised(Image: PA)

Another eyewitness who was sat in front of the lift did not see the man fall but heard a nearby woman scream "oh my God."

Further along the beach, an eyewitness described the incident.

"Its horrible," he said.

Before the mans sad death was announced, a spokesperson for Dorset Police said: We were called at 11.19am on Friday 26 June to a concern for welfare on Southbourne Cliff Drive near to Fishermans 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.

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