The coast from Saltburn to Scarborough, and even to Bridlington Quay, is generally high and bold, except in the bays and inlets. At Huntcliff, Rockcliff, Kettleness, Peak and a few other places the cliffs are lofty, and in some parts precipitous. Hence these shores are not only dangerous to mariners in stormy weather, but cause many fatal accidents to others who frequent them. The most singular accident that ever happened on the coast, occured about 15 years ago, under the high cliffs a little to the west of Staiths. While two girls of the name Grundy, belonging to Staiths were sitting on the scar, or rocky beach, with their backs to the cliff, a splinter, which by striking against a ledge had aquired a rotary motion, fell from the cliff, and hitting one of the girls on the hinder part of the neck, severed her head from her body in a moment, and the head rolled to a considerable distance along the scar.
George Young, 1817. A History of Whitby, Clark and Medd, Whitby
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