Cliff jumper airlifted to hospital after 'tombstoning' accident
A WARNING has gone out to adrenalin junkies after an injured tombstoner had to be airlifted to hospital from a Gower beauty spot.
The man suffered a badly dislocated shoulder after taking part in the dangerous craze.
Tombstoning involves jumping into water from cliffs or piers — but it has led to deaths and serious injuries elsewhere in Britain. Coastguard rescue workers, the Mumbles inshore lifeboat and the Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor in North Devon were all involved in the rescue operation.
The 45-year-old local man was one of a group who were on Pennard Cliffs, near Southgate, on Saturday morning.
Swansea Coastguard watch officer David Jones said: "We had a 999 call from a member of the public that a man had dislocated his shoulder," said Mr Jones.
"We tasked the Mumbles Coastguard rescue team and the all-weather lifeboat, along with the RAF helicopter."
Despite his injury the man had managed to scramble on to rocks by the time rescuers arrived.
"Because of the severity of the dislocation they couldn't do a normal lift into the helicopter," said Mr Jones.
"They had to put him in a stretcher and winch that up. He was then flown to Morriston Hospital."
The tombstoning craze has led to 10 deaths and 36 serious injuries in the UK in the past four years.
Leaping
Last summer, an off- duty policeman in his fishing boat rescued a teenager who had apparently jumped off Mumbles Pier and got into difficulty. Concerns have also been raised about youngsters risking their lives by leaping into Burry Port harbour.
This summer, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the RNLI and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents have launched a campaign called Don't Jump into the Unknown, to raise awareness of the dangers.
Mr Jones said: "Fortunately it does not happen regularly here, but we have had a few. Our advice is — don't. The water depth can change, and you are jumping into the unknown."
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by Max Williams, Swansea
Friday, August 07 2009, 4:23PM
“I was also there when this accident happened and know the man involved very well as he is my father. I have read all the comments on this site and have been wondering whether any of the pathetic idiot who feel that my family should pay for the cost of the sea rescue have ever been rock jumping before. I find it to be an exhilarating activity that, if done correctly, is perfectly safe. I myself have done many rock jumps and have never
so much as felt a pinch on impact with the water. Unfortunately my Dad hit the water in an awkward position which meant that his shoulder was forced out of position. So I would just like to say to all of you people sitting there with your cup of horlicks, smoking your pipe and tutting at "youngsters" and "ruffians", don't knock it 'til you've tried it.”
by gray, gower
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 9:52AM
“It would be nice if the people involved in the incident held a fund-raiser to pay back the money that was spent on the rescue. It doesn¿t matter if you didn¿t want a helicopter, the fact is the men and women in the rescue team risk their own lives to save people. I¿m not having a go, but it is always a nice gesture when people return the favour. Saying thank you in the newspaper is good, but it won¿t help future rescue missions.”
by cliff jumper, Swansea
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 7:37AM
“I am the 47 year old man who was injured jumping from the rocks, all the lads involved were sensible and wary about taking every precaution to make sure the jump was safe. The site was pre-observed, it was jumped at high tide and the risk were minimal, It was not as big a risk as it seems to outside observers. I just landed awkwardly which caused the injury. As for the expense to the rescue service, i appreciate your points of view and understand it is expensive to run and apologise. On reflection, in future, i will be leaving this to the more experienced. Not something i would recommend to those without the necessary training. My thanks goes out to the rescue services for acting so quickly and doing such a great job!”
by Tombstoner, Gower
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 7:30AM
“I agree completly with Hugh's comments and it is a safe activity when done properly!!”
by Hugh Johnson, South Wales
Monday, July 27 2009, 6:15PM
“Hi, let me just say first that i was there when this happened, it was my friend's Dad who decided to do a leap from quite a height for his first ever jump. The only reason he was injured was because he didn't land correctly. By looking and judging your leap the activity is quite safe. Secondly, we didn't ask for a helicopter to be sent . We only wanted either an ambulance or a boat to get him to hospital but the emergency services went all out and sent the entire rescue service. I understand that people can be seriously injured or killed from tombstoning, but i insist that it is a safe activity provided your are safety conscious.
Thankyou.”
by George Spiggott, Neath
Monday, July 27 2009, 5:54PM
“MACCA, Neath,
I have no problem with women thank you very much. Why such foolish questions from you?”
by MACCA, neath
Monday, July 27 2009, 5:48PM
“GEORGE SPIGGOT
has a problem with women!?”
by George Spiggott, Neath
Monday, July 27 2009, 5:45PM
“Clare,
Just as i thought. Thanks for clearing that up for me. You just can't be sure what some people mean on this site sometimes. All the best, George.”
by Clare, Neath
Monday, July 27 2009, 5:39PM
“George,
It was meant in a banal derisory fashion, sorry if it was above you George.
Arthur stated "ludicrous"
My comment "there is nothing ludicrous...." was me having a go at that comment. Clearly I think there is nothing ludicrous about it as the rest of my comment suggests. I put it that you are perhaps confused dear George.
Do you get it now George? I would try and draw a pic for you but can't on here. Never mind dear, keep taking the pills x x x”
by Beach User, Gower
Monday, July 27 2009, 5:38PM
“I dont see the risk of jumping into water that you know is deep enough and the tide is in. The fact that the person hit the water akwardly caused the accident. Is going to the many beaches on Gower which do not have Lifeguards taking the same sort of risk? If you were to get into difficulty on one of these beaches then the Emergency Services would have to respond costing money. Rhossili Beach 1000s of people frequent this beach on a 'hot summers day' Should we be all going to beaches where we can be supervised??!!”