Caroline, 50, was with her partner Malcolm, 60, celebrating New Year's Day by walking along the cliffs in South Beach, Whitehaven, Cumbria, North-West England.

The beach has been known for suffering under the problems with erosion. In the previous month, a five-metre stretch of the cliff fell off into the sea. As a result, fencing and warning signs where erected along the cliff.

However, Caroline and Malcolm must have even failed to see them in or ignored them, deciding to walk along the edge of the cliff. Caroline was walking around 20 yards (18 metres) behind Malcolm, when 20 feet (6 metres) of cliff face fell away, and buried her. Malcolm tried to rescue her with his bare hands, but failed. The Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service tried their best saying, "We assisted to make the area safe and to get the lady out, but she was pronounced dead."

It was annouced by Council chief executive Liam Murphy that, "We will look to see if we need additional fencing put up."

In this case, getting a headache from a bad New Year's Day hangover might have been slightly better than a curshed head.

The full story is on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/6224075.stm

Submitted on 01/02/2007

Submitted by: Ian Wolf
Reference: BBC Website, 2 January 2007

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Graham said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Thanks, Ian. Being of the English persuasion myself, I know these cliffs well. The fences are there for a REASON. No-one can stop people determined to eliminate themselves. But yes, this was an incredibly stupid act and I'll recommend a DA for this one, just for their sheer determination!

James said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I might normally question something like this, but I will take the word of my esteemed fellow moderator, an Englishman who knows the turf better than I. If people defy warnings about eroding cliffsides, then they're probably in for a final surprise! A pretty cartoony way to go, and hence a DA nomination! Thanks, Ian!

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
As we don't have seaside cliffs in my part of the world and as I've never been to England, I shall also defer to the moderator with the local knowledge. Thanks for the good write-up, Ian!

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