02/11/2012

Dorset Cliff Path Removed After Death

A path which runs along the top of a Dorset cliff has been removed after it collapsed and killed a young woman in July.

Charlotte Blackman, 22 of Derbyshire, was killed by falling rubble when the cliff collapsed above her head at Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock.

The path which Ms Blackman had been walking on had been closed since the accident.

Now a section of the route will be diverted inland.

Dorset County Council worked with the National Trust to reopen another section between Burton Freshwater and the end of Cliff Road.

The accident happened as Ms Blackman was on holiday with her family at the Freshwater Holiday Park on 24 July.

At the time, witnesses said she was seen walking under the cliff just moments before it collapsed.

Her boyfriend and father Kevin were involved in the accident and also became trapped beneath the rubble and debris. The two men were pulled free by rescuers.

Ms Blackman is said to have been planning a career in teaching. Her family have established a charity fund in her memory. It has so far raised £600 for The Derbyshire Autism Services Group.

A bench was put up at the holiday park in September in memory of Ms Blackman.

Twenty-two balloons have also been released from Burton Bradstock in Ms Blackman's memory, each representing a year of her life.

(IT)

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