Onlookers feared the worst when they spotted what looked like a man and boy ‘scratching away’ at rocks under Sidmouths unstable cliffs - near the debris of a recent landslide.
Mum-of-two Charly Rhodes captured the moment opn camera, and said there was a ‘massive’ crack right above the duo on the town’s east beach on Wednesday afternoon.
There have long been fears someone will be hurt by a cliff fall, and Charly believes the public needs ‘constant reminders’ of the danger, so shared her photos online.
“There was a massive crack in the rocks and they were right next to it,” said Charly.
“I just thought, if that goes down, they’re going to get seriously injured, or even killed.
“The adult should be setting an example. I would never do it.
“It’s scary – if anything happened to them, other people would have to put their lives at risk to get them to safety.
“They must have known they shouldn’t be down there.
“There were other people around saying it’s crazy they were right next to the cliffs.”
Charly said security measures should be increased, but East Devon District Council maintains an emergency exit must be kept for anyone crossing the beach from Salcombe Regis.
The council has erected signs on Alma Bridge warning against accessing the beach.
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