Posted on 08/02/2005 8:39:23 AM PDT by Cowman
Man injured in 'tombstoning' jump
A 21-year-old man has been airlifted to hospital after being injured in a 'tombstoning' accident in Cornwall. Coastguards and police warned of the dangers of the daredevil act of jumping from cliffs and rocks into the sea.
Rescue teams were alerted to the accident at Rinsey Head, near Mount's Bay, on Monday evening.
The man, an Australian bodyboarder, fractured both legs and was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske by a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose.
Coastguards have named the injured man as Harry Dixon from Sydney.
Falmouth Coastguard Watch Manager James Instance said: "He landed very, very awkwardly and broke both his legs; one of which was an open fracture.
"It was quite serious, particularly as he was in the water when he sustained this injury. When people break legs from doing this, they can very easily drown."
Mr Dixon managed to get ashore after the accident, but paramedics could not reach him.
James Instance said: "Coastguards had to go down the cliff to stabilise him, then a helicopter from Culdrose had to airlift him to Treliske."
Earlier this month, a teenager suffered head injuries at Piskey's Cove, near Porthleven, and a man died after tombstoning at Ansteys Cove in June.
'Prevalent everywhere'
James Instance said: "It's not a safe activity at all.
"We deal with dozens of incidents around all of the county's coast, and it seems to be prevalent everywhere.
"Injuries we have seen have ranged from twisting of ankles, to very severe spinal injures, to people being paralysed and even deaths.
"The water may look clean and clear, which means it's very difficult to ascertain the depth of it. And if it's cloudy or dirty, you can't see if there are any rocks.
"People also underestimate how far they can jump put. They think they can jump six or eight feet away out, but can't and find themselves landing on rocks."
Well, at least he still has his jewels. Could have landed on them instead.
At least "tombstoning" is properly named.
Darwinism in action.
I think he could have landed on his head without causing any damage at all.
Also known as taking the Geronimo Express to Splatsville.
I wonder if he cut loose with a Dean Scream as he leapt from the cliff?
Well, maybe, but the sudden stop probably put them down below his knees! That may be better than where they would have gone if he landed on his head!
More proof that survival of the smartest doesn't always work.
Harry Dixon - That's an unfortunate name.
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