tim wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:50 AM:i was at torrey pines state beach earlier that morning swimming,several military helicopters flew very low over torrey pines golf course, and then over the ocean;perhaps the vibration from the helicopters loosened the rocks on the cliffs?

george wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:09 AM:The city should have the public fenced off from these cliffs. The land can slide there at any second , and to allow people to get close enough to get killed by falling rocks is neglegent on the cities part.
This is a preventable waste of life and the city should put a stop to it.
It costs next to nothing. We run chain link fence along hwys with falling rock problems... Do the same here.

Wild Cat wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:40 AM:In Solana Beach at Flecher's Cove, the area under the cliffs is blocked off. We can block of areas and but of a fence, but people will sit where they want to sit. This is a tragic accident. We forget that these cliffs are very fragile and can fall at any minute. The city has signs to stay away from unstable cliffs and I have seen signs saying to not sit under the cliff. But when you are with your friends or family and it is a beautiful day, you forget. This is not the city's fault, the military's fault or anyone's fault. Remember, we had an earthquake a few weeks ago. I think that is what has loosened these cliffs. My prayers are with Mr. Mellone's family and friends especially his brother and nephew who were a witness to this tragic accident.

Grump wrote on Aug 21, 2008 1:35 PM:Sure, military helicopters flying low could have contributed to the collapse, so could have the recent earth quake, or rodents and ants. All the bluffs will eventually collapse due to geology, time, and gravity.

helmets wrote on Aug 21, 2008 1:44 PM:Why don't we fence off everything on the planet not made of foam and wear helmets all the time? This is just a tragic, tragic accident that was just a horrible coincidence of timing. Those cliffs are made of SAND that built up over millions of years and takes a beating every day from wind added with salt water. Helicopters, earthquakes, trash trucks and loud bongo drums from Black's happen every day and yet rocks/sand do not fall everyday. They are not stone mountains made by tectonic plates shifting and pushing them up. They are loose all the time and fairly risky all the time. Just keep the beach towel and all your stuff about 25 feet from the cliffs and you should be fine. Oh and don't build a house right on the edge rich folks, it's just a bad idea.

snookums wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:10 PM:helmets, I loved your comment! Yes, it is horribly tragic but accidents happen and we can't spend our lives walking on eggshells. My sympathies to the family.

Cbadisrad wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:46 PM:I just wanted to clarify that Torrey Pines is a state preserve and not a city park. As such, it is a place were the dominate force is nature and humans are visitors. The loss of life is certainly tragic but it would be even more tragic to blame the gentlemen’s death on the state or on the cliffs. Each year thousands of people visit the preserve to see the sculpted Torrey Pines, the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the magnificent coastal bluffs. Fencing or placing walls along the cliffs would only tarnish what is one of the last pristine sections of coastline in the state. In short; obey the sings.

Debbie wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:11 PM:Bob was a friend of mine. wow, all I can say is "this suck's" But for the most part he was where he loved to be. The beach. It was his friend. The best place on earth for him. All of the RCP clan will miss him for ever.....Talk about a great guy..... he's the best. Bob RIP. We love you and will keep you in our heart's forever. My heart break's tonite......
:-(

JSten wrote on Aug 22, 2008 5:27 AM:Well, at least a shark didn't get him.

I have to go drive to work now, at least THAT's safe.

What???

You don't say.