A CRITICAL incident at Durdle Door failed to deter hundreds of visitors from making the journey to the Purbeck site - even if it meant ignoring road closed signs.

Dorset Council took the decision to close roads leading to Durdle Door and Lulworth on Saturday night following the incident in which three people were seriously injured jumping from the arch into the sea.

On Sunday morning the closures were not manned and many motorists streamed down the roads to the site, which is part of the Lulworth Estate.

Bournemouth Echo: Cars at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPSCars at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPS By 10am cars were already stacking up spaces in the cliff top car park and beach-goers were making their way down the path to Durdle Door.

After news spread of the numbers still heading to the coastal beauty spot, Dorset Council issued a statement and instructed officers to man road closed signs. There was also a Dorset Police presence in the area.

Bournemouth Echo: Police at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPSPolice at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPS

Throughout the day cars took to parking on verges on the sides of roads before making the walk to the beach.

In the earlier afternoon, Dorset Council and Dorset Police issued a joint statement urging people to not overcrowd popular areas of the county.

However, Durdle Door, much like areas of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation, were already very busy.

Bournemouth Echo: Visitors make their way down the steps to Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPSVisitors make their way down the steps to Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPS

While warnings had been issued across social media, along with those at the site, some people even mirrored the actions of those the day before by jumping off the arch into the sea.

Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team were called to the area due to concerns but they were eventually stood down with no repeat of the injuries sustained on Saturday.

Bournemouth Echo: Tombstoning continued at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPSTombstoning continued at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPS

And when it came to the time that people had to head home, some visitors failed to take their litter with them.

Bournemouth Echo: Visitors at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPSVisitors at Durdle Door on Sunday, May 31. Picture: BNPS

As reported, on Saturday two people had to be airlifted to Southampton Hospital, while a third was taken to Dorset County Hospital by land ambulance. All of their injuries were sustained from jumping off the 70ft arch.