25/04/2008

Inquest Finds 'Tombstoning' Deaths Were 'Accidental'

An inquest has found that the deaths of two men who jumped off Clacton Pier were "accidental".

John Castleman, 48 and Kelvin Rothwell, 43 jumped from the pier after a day of drinking on July 7 last year, an inquest at Chelmsford heard.

Deputy Coroner Jolanta McKenzie presented two verdicts of death due to "immersion in sea water".

Toxicology reports revealed Mr Castleman was three-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Mr Castleman died in hospital that evening while Mr Rothwell died five days later.

Inspector Vincent Osborne of Essex police says that the stunt known as "tombstoning" - where someone dives off a high point into water - has claimed other lives around England last summer.

Sam Boyd, 16, died after jumping into the sea from a harbour wall last August at Minehead in Somerset.

The RoSPA has reported that 1,226 people were admitted to hospital after diving or jumping into water in England between 1997 and 2004.

(DS/JM)

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