Woman at Llantwit Major killed by falling rock.
A falling rock fell from a cliff and hit her on the head in a ‘million-to-one’ accident
The friend battled to save the victim but its is thought she died instantly. Woman was allegedly warned about falling rocks shortly before accident
A dog walker was tragically killed when she was hit by a falling rock shortly after being told not to walk beneath the cliffs on a Welsh beach.
Emergency crews were called to Llantwit Major, between Swansea and Cardiff on the Glamorgan coast, shortly before 5.30pm yesterday evening.
The unnamed victim, who was 23, died instantly after the chunk of rock hit her on the head in a ‘million-to-one’ tragedy.
Emergency crews were called to the beach at Llantwit Major (pictured), between Swansea and Cardiff on the Glamorgan coast, shortly before 5.30pm yesterday but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene
The woman was walking a greyhound when she was killed by a falling boulder at the seaside beauty spot.
She was enjoying the summer sun with a friend – but had just been told to avoid walking beneath the crumbling cliffs.
The unsuspecting women ‘screamed’ in horror as a large rock fell 20ft before striking one of them on the head.
Her horrified friend carried out CPR before running for help.
The unnamed victim, 23, died instantly when the chunk of rock hit her on the head in a ‘million-to-one’ tragedy
The woman had just been passed by a concerned local who warned them to stay away from the cliffs.
But they did not heed his warning and just moments later one of them was hit by a falling rock.
A waiter from the nearby Beach Cafe has described the shocking moment the woman’s blood soaked friend raised the alarm.
Adam Waters, 23, said: ‘She ran into the cafe covered in blood saying she had been walking a greyhound on the beach with her friend when a rock struck her.
‘She was pale and in shock and told us she had administered CPR on her friend after the rock struck her.’
‘I spoke to a man on a red quad bike who had told the girls, “don’t walk down there its too dangerous”. As he was driving away he heard a scream.’
Police, ambulance and coastguards rushed to the scene to try and save the tragic victim.
But paramedics were unable to help the young woman who died on the beach from massive head injuries.
Her friend was in shock but was not injured in the tragic accident.
It is believed the woman was walking along the beach underneath this cliff (pictured) when the rock hit her
Mr Waters, who lives near the beach, said: ‘We gave the woman sweet tea and a blanket. The emergency services arrived within ten minutes.’
The steep cliffs are known for their rock slides and there are a number of signs warning beachgoers to be careful.
Locals had reportedly called for the area underneath the cliffs to be cordoned off even before the tragedy occurred.
Ralph Otero, was on the beach when the tragedy happened, said: ‘People don’t seem to take any notice when they are told of the dangers.
‘The idea is to keep away from the cliff but people don’t seem to take any notice. They are fascinated by it. They come away for a fun day and are attracted by it.
‘There are always bits and pieces falling down from the cliff. It’s dangerous to get too close to the damn thing – rocks are falling all the time.
‘This was a tragedy waiting to happen.’
Coastal erosion is a growing problem along large tracts of the Vale of Glamorgan coast.
Locals in Llantwit Major claim that children worsen the problem by encouraging rock falls.
Julie Edwards, who works at nearby Oak Lodge Self Catering Accommodation, said: ‘I walk my dogs on the beach and you can see the cliffs crumbling.
‘You see kids throwing rocks at it and people having picnics just underneath it.’
A rock fall in 2011 left 13 caravans hanging on the edge of a cliff in nearby Porthkerry.
And just last week a new species of dinosaur revealed after it had been uncovered during a cliff fall on nearby Penarth beach.
Two roses have been left at the scene of the tragedy which happened early yesterday evening
Floral tributes have been left for the woman who died, who has yet to be named.
A beach party that was due to take place tonight has been cancelled following the tragedy.
Council workers and the police were today spotted inspecting the area of the rock fall.
David Boon, deputy head of the British Geological Survey in Wales, warned holidaymakers to be cautious when walking along the Vale of Glamorgan coastline.
He said: ‘The cliffs are being continually eroded by the seas.
‘Our key message is that our geology is rich and diverse and we want people to enjoy it, but they need to be cautious of high cliffs and overhanging rock.
‘We would say to people, don’t walk under steep high cliffs, don’t stand, sit or stray too close to the edge.’
Beach-goers called for an ambulance after they heard rocks falling and discovered the woman and her friend
The coroner has been made aware of the death and police liaison officers are supporting the woman’s family.
Her friend, who was seen in ‘hysterical tears’ after the tragedy, was uninjured but has been treated for shock.
Elenid Carlig, landlady at the village’s White Hart pub, said: ‘It’s just so sad. The area is known for rock falls and if you’re born and bred around here it’s instilled in you to be aware of the sea and the cliffs.
‘It is really difficult for everyone. Everyone heard the sirens all afternoon and the helicopters.’
Vale of Glamorgan Council experts carry out annual inspections on the rocks and today the council warned beachgoers to ‘exercise great caution’ around the cliffs.
A spokesman said: ‘The sections of the coastline which are managed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council are inspected annually to assess the continuing effects of coastal erosion.
‘However, the geology of this part of the coast means that rock falls do occur and cannot be prevented.’
There were around 10 emergency services vehicles at the scene of the tragedy on Thursday afternoon. Witnesses saw ambulances, police cars and rapid response vehicles.
Milford Haven Coastguard sent staff to assist police with Wales Air Ambulance also called out.
South Wales Police confirmed it is investigating the tragic accident at the popular beach.
A spokeswoman said: ‘It is believed that she sustained injuries when rocks fell from above. There are no suspicious circumstances in connection to this accident.
‘Unfortunately she suffered fatal injuries from that.’
A spokesman for the coastguard said that the woman and a friend had been on the beach at the end of a sunny summer’s day when the tragedy happened.
He said: ‘It was a rock slide, but we don’t know yet how it happened.’
Coastguards said there was ‘no explanation’ for the sudden rock slide on a sunny summer’s day
