Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Parachute pair leap 200ft from Durdle Door

The men, dressed in shorts, T-shirts and safety helmets, had ignored signs warning people not to climb the landmark

Ella Glover
Monday 05 April 2021 08:57 EDT
Comments
Durdle Door, one of Dorset’s most famous tourist attractions, was the scene of several stunts last year
Durdle Door, one of Dorset’s most famous tourist attractions, was the scene of several stunts last year (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two men were spotted parachuting off Durdle Door on Easter Sunday, much to the shock of sightseers. 

An anonymous witness said that “everybody stopped to watch” the two men climb up the 200ft structure with parachutes. 

The men were dressed in shorts and T-shirts but wearing helmets, the Daily Mail reported. 

The pair had ignored signs warning people not to climb the landmark, a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth.

“The beach was packed but no one could quite believe it when they saw these two guys start climbing up carrying their gear,” the witness said. “It was obvious what they were going to do but still a bit unbelievable at the time.”

Read more:

Durdle Door, one of Dorset’s most famous tourist attractions, was the scene of several stunts last year. 

Last May, four people were seriously injured after jumping from the arch. Police and air ambulances arrived on the beach after being called to two separate incidents. 

In February, the owners of Durdle Door blamed “culturally diverse” and young tourists for “degrading” the beauty spot last summer and have called for a new countryside code to be introduced ahead of lockdown lifting in April.

In a letter to Government Petitions Committee, which was reported by the Times, said: “These visitors were mainly on day visits from cities, not travelling a short distance but sometimes driving four or five hours for a day out at the beach. With no foreign holidays, whole cities decamped into rural Britain.”

It noted some visitors had been fly camping, writing graffiti, and littering on the beach during lockdown last year. 

“We earnestly do not want a repeat of this for the upcoming spring and summer as delicate environments cannot sustain the level of degradation they received in 2020,” the estate said. 

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in