Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / SUSSEX
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

13:29 GMT, Saturday, 10 May 2008 14:29 UK

Police warn against 'tombstoning'

Brighton Pier

People taking part in the practice known as "tombstoning" are risking their lives, police have warned.

Sussex Police said there had been reports of people jumping from cliffs, ledges and other high structures into water to cool off in the hot weather.

There have previously been deaths as a result of the tombstoning craze in other parts of Britain.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove Police said: "Tombstoning is a life-threatening pastime."

She added: "It is very hard to judge the depth of water due to swell and sea conditions. Serious injuries are often sustained when hitting the seabed or an underwater obstruction.

"Each year emergency services are called to deal with people who have injured themselves after jumping into the sea from Brighton's Palace Pier or the walls of Brighton Marina.

"It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Criticism for 'tombstoning' film (13 Feb 08 |  North East/N Isles )
Calls for cliff jump safety rules (09 Sep 07 |  England )
'Tombstoning' boy breaks his leg (08 Jul 06 |  Southern Counties )
Bridge jumping patrols stepped up (05 Jul 06 |  Hampshire )
Rescuers give tombstoning warning (30 Jun 06 |  Devon )
Man hurt after 'tombstoning' jump (28 Jun 06 |  Devon )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Sussex Police
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
UK Contents:  England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | UK Politics | Education | Magazine

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©