Teen falls to her death from cliff at Blowhole Road in Blackmans Bay

TRIBUTES are flowing for 17-year-old Margaret Mary Lore who tragically fell to her death from a cliff at Blackmans Bay.

Tributes continue to be added at the scene of the fatal accident of Margaret Lore, who fell off the Blackmans Bay cliffs on Saturday night. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

LOCALS are calling for better fencing and warning signs after the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl who fell from a popular clifftop walking area near the blowhole at Blackmans Bay on Saturday night.

Tasmania Police have confirmed Margaret Mary Lore, of Richmond, was killed when she fell from a high cliff just before midnight.

The cliffs at Blackmans Bay near the Blowhole near the scene of a tragic death on Saturday night. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Ambulance officers were unable to revive her.

Tributes are flowing on social media for the popular Richmond teenager, known as Maggie.

Maggie Lore died following a cliff fall at Blackmans Bay. Picture: FACEBOOK

One friend too to Facebook, describing Miss Lore as a “beautiful, delicate, beloved, compassionate, caring and absolutely amazing soul”.

A small wire fence about one metre high is all that separates onlookers from the 20 to 30m high cliffs on the other side. The area is a favourite haunt for teenagers who jump into the water.

Two boys known to the late Maggie Lore, who tragically fell from the Blackmans Bay cliffs on Saturday evening, reflect at a floral tribute near where the accident occurred. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

One woman has called for signage and improved fencing while a local man says 10 foot high fences are needed around the whole area.

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass said the council would await the Coroner’s report before any changes were considered.

Tasmania Police Duty Inspector Dave Wiss said officers spent a number of hours with the Miss Lore’s father at the Kingston Police Station on Sunday morning.

It was late Sunday evening when police were able to contact her mother, who lives interstate.

Insp Wiss said police received a call just before midnight Saturday from a group of partygoers saying a young girl had fallen from the cliffs near the blowhole at Blackmans Bay.

A group of about six young people had left a nearby party to go the cliffs.

Insp Wiss said uniformed officers, the rescue helicopter and police boat Dauntless attended the scene. They were unable to winch the body out until 9am on Sunday. Police stayed with the body at the base of the cliff overnight.

Insp Wiss said some of the teenager’s friends climbed over the fence and the young woman had followed.

“They climbed over the wrong side of the fence that was there for their safety and the young lady fell to her death.

“She lost her footing and that’s when the tragedy occurred.”

Blackmans Bay resident Helena Blundell would like to see alterations to the site that increased safety and warned people of the risks of going near the cliffs. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Local photographer Helena Blundell has lived on the beachfront at Blackmans Bay for 30 years.

During that time she has witnessed hundreds of rescues from the cliffs, she said.

Every time she sees a helicopter she knows someone is in trouble, she said. “It’s just wrong,”

She has called for signage along the cliff face with the words ... “this is a dangerous cliff and there have been deaths.”

“This is the reality — let’s not pussyfoot around. We live in a rugged wild environment but it still needs to be safe for families.’’

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass said the council would carefully consider the Coroner’s report into Miss Lore’s death.

“Council takes this very, very seriously and we’ll be waiting for the Coroner’s report before can do anything,” Cr Wass said.

“A number of people have lost their lives in that area in the past 30 or 40 years and it’s an area that we always suggest to people to stay behind the fence.”

Ben Robinson, 18 from Queensland is on a working holiday in Tasmania and was staying in Blackmans Bay on the evening of the accident. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Queenslander Ben Robinson, 18, was camped in his car on the beachfront when he heard laughing and yelling and possibly some people swimming at 11.30pm on Saturday night.

About 20 minutes later he heard two ambulances scream past going the wrong way up the one way street.

Ben, who has only been in the state for five weeks, said some boys had told him about the cliffs and he had jumped from them a few times.

“I’ve seen the highest point where they jump — it’s about 16m.”

The cliffs are made from Permian mudstone which is susceptible to erosion and crumbling.

Mark Thorp, left, and Pastor Leo Stossich from the Blackmans Bay Trinity Life Church are concerned about safety issues at the Blackmans Bay cliffs. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Pastor Leo Stossich, 60, said he fishes from the base and walks the cliff path regularly.

He often sees tourists who jump the fence and climb the highest point above the ocean. “I wouldn’t go there myself. There’s no signage to give them boundaries or directions at all.”

Local Mark Thorp, 52, said he walks the cliff path all the time.

“The fencing is dangerous, you can easily fall.”

Mr Thorp said his son grew up jumping into the Derwent River side of the Blowhole, despite his father’s dire warnings. “You need a fence at least 10 foot all around the area.”

Insp Wiss said the circumstances surrounding the tragedy will be the subject of a criminal investigation while police piece together the movements of the girl and her friends in the hours leading to her death.

“It is a criminal investigation until we make sure that it is just a tragic accident there’s nothing to suggest it was other than that.

“This is just a mistake of youth — it’s a terrible tragedy.”

Counselling will be offered to the family, friends and the police officers who attended the scene.

Anyone with information that might help investigators are asked to call Crimestoppers on 1800333000.