Section of Brighton's historic West Pier collapses as Storm Austen hits
Heavy waves from Storm Austen caused the right side of Brighton's West Pier to fall into the sea, captured on video by a local resident.
Storm Austen unleashed powerful surf on the UK coastline, striking Brighton's West Pier and causing the right side of the landmark to collapse into the sea. The event was filmed by Simon Haffenden, who described hearing a loud bang before the structure crashed. Kate Phillips, representing the West Pier Trust, expressed belief that the middle section will endure, emphasizing trust in the pier's Victorian construction.
The pier, originally opened in 1866 and expanded in 1893, has been closed to the public since 1975 due to safety concerns and has suffered previous storm damage, fires in 2003, and a major storm in 2005. Despite its derelict state, the pier remains a celebrated symbol of Brighton's seafront.
Why it matters
The collapse highlights the vulnerability of historic coastal structures to extreme weather and raises concerns about preservation.
How this story developed
- Oct 20 Storm Austen expected to deliver 50-60mph gusts across southern UK
- Oct 22 Met Office expanded the yellow wind warning to cover all of Wales, forecasting gusts of 70 mph or higher.
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