Man killed in 'tombstoning' fall

A 19-year-old man has died after falling from rocks into the River Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales.

Joel Scott, from Guiseley in Leeds, suffered head and back injuries and died after being airlifted to Harrogate Hospital on Friday evening.

Witnesses at the scene of the accident in Burnsall said he and a friend had been "tombstoning" - jumping from rocks into the river, a drop of about 25ft.

Mr Scott's uncle, Gary Jackson, paid tribute to "a brilliant, outgoing kid".

He said: "Joel was a great sportsman and brilliant footballer. He loved life."

Mr Scott's uncle spoke of his pride at discovering that his nephew carried a donor card.

"It think it's fantastic that a young man of that age was on the donor register", he said.

He also praised the work of the Upper Wharfdale Fell Rescue Association and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance who helped Mr Scott in his final moments.

North Yorkshire Police said Mr Scott fell as he climbed up to the spot he had been jumping in from.

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North Yorkshire Police
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Upper Wharfdale Fell Rescue Association
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