By Carole Dennett
By Mal Butler
A fossil hunter was just seconds from death after she walked away from a cliff at Compton Bay Farm which then collapsed just yards from her feet.
Terri Sizeland, of Freshwater Bay, was with husband, Nigel, scouring the beach on New Year’s Day shortly before noon.
She said: “We have a regular walk along this beach looking for fossils. Our part of the beach was very quiet with just a couple of swimmers in the sea. We have been doing this for about four years and we’re always very aware of the cliffs.
“We were about 100 yards apart and I was in front of Nigel, under the cliff, but kept looking up because you have to be careful.
“I decided to walk away from the cliff and turn back to Nigel. Then I just heard this thud behind me. The cliff collapsed where I had been standing. There was no warning and it was a lovely dry day with no wind. It all seemed to happen in slow motion.
“Nigel heard a boom from where he was standing but looked the opposite way because he said that’s where the sound came from. If I had stayed where I was and he turned round, he would have wondered where I was because I would have disappeared.
“I was in shock afterwards. There was no phone signal there, so I would never have survived. I’ve had trouble sleeping since, just thinking about it.
“I just want to warn people to be so careful around the cliffs; these rock falls can happen at any time.
“Looking back, I’m so lucky. I will have to buy a lottery ticket!”