Falling rock puts defences to the test

A large rock has been caught in the rockfall fencing above upper Jamestown.

Dave Malpas, St Helena Government’s roads manager, said it could have continued down the hill and hit property below – as happened when the Baptist Chapel was badly damaged in 2009.

“It was good to see that the fence had stopped the rock by absorbing the impact,” said Dave.

“Although it was sagging under the weight of the rock, it has not been damaged.”

The discovery was made on Monday. The next day, roads staff broke the rock into smaller pieces that could safely be left on the hillside.

COMMENT:

Exciting stuff. Maybe it’s a meteorite? 😉

Bill Hodgson, via Comments

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