- The shocking photo was taken at Birling Gap in East Sussex
A tourist is pictured dangling his feet from the edge of a 400-foot-high crumbling cliff.
The shocking photo shows the man casually puffing on a cigarette at Birling Gap in East Sussex, ignoring warnings about the ‘fragile’ and ‘soft’ chalk.
The cliff, which is part of the Seven Sisters National Park, is also just two miles from the site of two recent cliff collapses.
This happened at nearby Seaford Head and Peacehaven, prompting councils to work with HM Coastguard and launch a campaign on the dangers of unstable chalk cliffs.
However, their warnings seemed to be ignored and people continued to walk right to the edge.
The shocking photo shows the man casually puffing on a cigarette while on the edge of a steep 400-foot drop.
The images were taken by JJ Waller in Birling Gap in East Sussex. He said: ‘Visitors are unaware of how soft the chalk is – and crowds flock to this spot in search of those all-important selfies’
Photographer JJ Waller captured the disturbing image. He said: “Despite the warnings, this is almost a daily occurrence.
‘Visitors are unaware of how soft the chalk is – and crowds flock to this spot in search of those all-important selfies.
‘But although it is a beautiful location, it requires respect and care. Never go near the edge.”
The photos were taken on Good Friday, the same day a terrifying incident occurred in Dorset when a 30ft pile of stones fell just meters from where families were taking an Easter walk.
A large section of the 180 million year old cliff at West Bay in Dorset, where hit ITV drama Broadchurch was filmed, broke loose after being hit by Storm Nelson last week.
Further safety warnings have been issued following Mr Waller’s photos, with East Sussex County Council warning that chalk could fall ‘at any time without warning’.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are still seeing people getting dangerously close to the edge of the cliffs without realizing the dangers.
‘The cliffs contain many protrusions and cracks that visitors may not be able to see, and the unstable chalk can fall at any time without any warning.
West Bay in Dorset, where a 9 meter high pile of rocks fell just meters from where families were taking an Easter walk on Good Friday
Seven Sisters National Park of which Birling Gap is part. The cliff where the photo was taken is also just two miles from the site of two recent cliff collapses (stock image)
‘We want to encourage people to continue visiting the area safely. Do not ignore the signs and stay far away from the edge.
“Taking the perfect selfie isn’t worth taking a risk with your life.”
The Maritime and Coastguard also said getting a ‘dramatic view’ was not worth the risk – and encouraged people not to forget the dangers of erosion.
“The cliffs along the UK coastline are constantly eroding, with chunks falling out that could be just a few small stones or as big as a car,” a spokesperson said.
‘It is impossible to predict when the next piece will fall or how big it will be.
“We really can’t stress enough how important it is to stay away from the edge. There is no ‘safe’ place to be.
‘If cracks have developed, even if they are several meters away from the edge, don’t be tempted to investigate and don’t risk going to the edge to get a dramatic view.
‘Enjoy your coastal walk, but make sure you and your loved ones get home safely.’
The agency added that particular caution should be taken after periods of rainfall as this will make the cliff edges even more vulnerable.