Shock on the Rock

(Gibraltar Chronicle) A huge boulder and a number of sizeable rocks smashed into the pavement and road near the black spot on Sir Herbert Miles Road early on Thursday evening. No-one was injured but a parked vehicle was damaged. It was reported that passengers on a bus witnessed the fall as they drove along that road. A spokesman for the Environment Ministry said: “A major rock fall occurred at approximately 5.45pm on the 7 January 2010 in the area of the black spot along Catalan Bay Road. The initial indications are that it would appear to have originated from an area of the cliff face located approximately 150m above road level. The magnitude of the rock fall is still being assessed but it is believed that a section of the cliff, approximately 125 tonnes in weight, became dislodged as a result of the very heavy rainfall. The debris has been cleared from the road and the existing catch ditch located at the base of the slopes is being reinstated." The road is now open to traffic.