Terrigal Skillion: Police investigate death of woman as rock fall closes site
Police are appealing for witnesses following the death of a woman at Terrigal Skillion on Sunday.
Central Coast
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The death of a 40-year-old woman at Terrigal Skillion will be investigated by police, with a call for witnesses to come forward.
Police have launched a “critical incident investigation” following the death of the woman on Sunday afternoon.
Police were called to the Skillion just after 2pm following reports that people were concerned for the welfare of a woman.
About 3.15pm, the 40-year-old woman fell from the cliff with police in attendance.
A critical incident investigation is mandatory whenever someone dies or is grievously injured while police are in attendance and it will be headed up by the neighbouring Tuggerah Lakes Police District.
The investigation will also be subject to an independent review, with all information to be provided to the Coroner.
No further information will be provided, however police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
It comes as the base of Terrigal Skillion remains closed this week following a large rock fall on Friday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the popular tourist site after a large section of the cliff collapsed on to the rocks following the week of wet weather.Thermal imaging was used to confirm there was no one trapped under the rocks at the time – a miracle considering the numbers of tourists that walk around the base of the Skillion.
Council officers attended the scene and cordoned off the area with fluorescent fencing.
A spokeswoman from Central Coast Council said council staff cordoned off the area at the request of NSW Police.
“We are in the process of engaging a geotechnical engineer to investigate further and provide advice on risk and how to manage," she said.
“Council staff have fenced the area off with temporary fencing and ask that the community do not venture past the fenced off area.”
Rock falls are known to occur naturally at the site, with the last significant rock fall in July 2018.
The Skillion is well known in geological circles, with the sedimentary rock forming The Skillion laid down in the Middle Triassic.
According to Geological Sites of NSW, Terrigal Skillion is interesting as the surface facing the south has weathered in a different form to the easterly face which is a sheer drop.
The unstable nature of the site is likely continue as waves continue to erode and undermine the cliff.
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