Birmingham mum died after falling from cliff near Durdle Door

Tahira Jabeen, 46, died after attempting to climb to the beach to the east of Durdle Door while on a day trip with her 18-year-old daughter on June 14, 2021.

Assistant coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, issued a warning at Ms Jabeen’s inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall, urging people to observe all the warning signs and not to stray from the coastal paths.

“Thrill seeker” Ms Jabeen had travelled from Birmingham to Durdle Door with her youngest daughter Ruqayya Hussain for their first visit to Dorset.

At approximately 3pm, the pair began walking down the steps to the Man O’ War beach.

Ruqayya, giving evidence, said: “I told her we should take the stairs, she believed she could climb down and began to go over the edge.

“I tried to pull her away but couldn’t get hold of her, if I did I would have fallen as well.

“She continued to scramble down the side of the cliff, I kept telling her to not be stupid, something was going to happen and she was going to fall.”

Orn Jonasar, a member of the public also visiting the beauty spot, told Ms Jabeen she was “going to kill herself” the inquest heard.

Mr Jonasar said it was a steep cliff and Ms Jabeen “didn’t properly appreciate how much danger she was in”. He said there were a number of signs warning of the danger.

Ruqayya began walking down the steps and lost sight of her mother. She then heard lots of people shouting for Ms Jabeen to “stop” and a “shriek” coming from the beach.

Ms Jabeen fell from approximately 60 feet to the beach and, despite efforts from members of the public and emergency services, was pronounced dead shortly before 3.30pm.

A post-mortem revealed her medical cause of death was bilateral haemopneumothorax due to multiple rib fractures.

Joe Bowtell, health and safety advisor for Lulworth Estate said a risk assessment had been carried out following the incident and more signs have been put in place, but they were limited in what restriction measures could be installed as Dorset Council was the access authority.

He said there had been no reports of other people ever climbing that cliff before.

Aqsa Hussain, another daughter of Ms Jabeen, said: “One life is too many to lose in a circumstance like this.

“Our primary concerns are no other family has to go through what we have gone through.

“Tahira Jabeen was a conscientious and loving mother. Her last words were ‘I will be fine’. I am extremely concerned at the lack of signage, barriers or fencing.

“I can’t think of another hotspot with such a high frequency of accidents.”

Coroner Mr Middleton recorded the conclusion of an accident. He said: “They approached the descent down to the Man O’ War beach and followed the path, it is a path that the crowd were following, I am satisfied it was a clear indication to the route people should take. I have been persuaded the risks were clear.

“I am satisfied there was a sign which was seen by members of the public, it is a large sign, it is pictorial in its description of the risks.

“I don’t feel it is appropriate to write a future deaths report.

“In light of the relaxation of restrictions during the pandemic, in light of the weather becoming milder and the upcoming holiday weekends, I would like to take this opportunity to urge members of the public to observe all of the warning sings not to stray from the coastal paths.”

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