Families and dog winched to safety after cliff fall traps them on Birling Gap beach

Two families and a dog were winched to safety after becoming stranded on Birling Gap beach when falling rocks damaged the access steps following a cliff collapse. HM Coastguard said it received reports that the groups were unable to leave the beach after debris from a cliff fall blocked the steps at the popular East […]

Two families and a dog were winched to safety after becoming stranded on Birling Gap beach when falling rocks damaged the access steps following a cliff collapse.

HM Coastguard said it received reports that the groups were unable to leave the beach after debris from a cliff fall blocked the steps at the popular East Sussex beauty spot.

A Coastguard spokesperson said:
“HM Coastguard received reports of two families stranded on a beach at Birling Gap after access steps were damaged by debris during a cliff fall.”

Rescue teams were sent to the scene, and all those stranded – including a dog – were safely winched from the beach. The Coastguard confirmed there were no injuries.

Following the incident, the National Trust issued a warning to visitors on social media, urging people to take extra care around the unstable cliffs.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said:
“If you are visiting, enjoy it while you can – but remember to stay well away from the base of the cliffs and keep an eye on the time.”

They added that the access steps at Birling Gap are now closed until further notice while safety assessments are carried out.

Birling Gap, part of the Seven Sisters cliffs, is known for its dramatic coastline but has seen repeated cliff falls in recent years, particularly after periods of wet or unstable weather.

Visitors are being reminded to check tide times, follow safety advice and avoid walking close to the cliff base.