A GIRL aged just nine has died after a cliff collapsed on her as she played on a family day out at the beach, according to eyewitnesses.

The youngster sustained serious head injuries in the incident this afternoon and died at the scene.

Fire crews, ambulances and air ambulance attended the front of the seaside village of Staithes following reports of rockfall.

One onlooker said: "There was a huge emergency response, there were two fire engines about three police cars, two ambulances and the coast guard.

"I have heard from people in the emergency services that the little girl was just playing on the beach, it is normally completely safe, there are dangerous cliffs signs but you don't think it will happen.

"The rocks came from the top, they just killed her.

"People have said you could see dust all around.

"I've lived here all my life and never seen anything like it."

A holidaymaker added: "It doesn't make any sense, it is just very, very sad.

"You go for a family day out at the beach and it's the last thing you expect to happen.

"I can't begin to think what the parents are going through."

A police spokesman confirmed: "North Yorkshire Police were contacted Wednesday 8 August 2018 at 4.47pm to reports of a rock fall at Seaton Garth in Staithes, in which a 9-year-old girl had received serious head injuries.

"Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance, Air Ambulance and Coastguard were all in attendance.

"Sadly, despite the efforts of the emergency services, the girl died at the scene from her injuries. Her family are currently being supported by specialist trained officers."

The coastguard were also called to the tragic scene following a number of calls after a section of the cliff fell.

A spokesman for the North East Air Ambulance Service said: "We were called today at 16:18 about a child who had sustained a serious head injury as a result of a rock slide at the South Pier at Staithes, near Saltburn.

"We dispatched a number of resources including 4 hazardous area response crews, an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an officer and requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

The coastguard, fire and rescue services and Yorkshire Ambulance Service also attended the scene."