Two Injured During Alleged 'Tombstoning' Incidents

During the hottest weekend of the year, which saw crowds pack out beaches throughout the UK, two men have received serious injuries following apparent 'tombstoning' incidents.

On Saturday a 20-year-old student, from Plymouth, was seriously hurt after plunging 30ft from a pier in Southsea, Hants into shallow water.

It is understood the man told lifeguards who dragged him to safety from the sea at Sharrow Point, Whitsand Bay he had no feelings in his legs.

On Sunday a similar incident took place, with a second 20-year-old man being airlifted to hospital after diving into shallow water from a pier at Southsea, Hants. He is being treated for life threatening neck injuries.

Dave Scullion of Brixton Coastguards in Devon spoke out against the dangers of 'tombstoning' - an extreme sport craze where people jump off cliffs or rocks into the sea.

"This is one way to ruin not only a pleasant afternoon for yourself, but very possibly the rest of your life.

"Tombstoning is madness whichever way you look at it. An individual has no real idea what they are jumping into and the tidal flow alters the depth of water dramatically."

Police are currently investigating whether the man jumped or if he fell.

The Tamar Coastguard Rescue team was called to the scene in Cornwall and carried the man to hospital strapped to a spinal board.

A helicopter was also required for the incident on Sunday, which took the young man to the Queen Alexandra hospital for treatment to his injuries.

Saturday was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching a high of 27.3C, as recorded in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. Temperatures also remained in the mid-20s on Sunday.

However, it is thought the dry and sunny weather will not continue through the weekend. Rain has been forecast across southern parts of England and Wales from Friday, with northern Britain seeing mostly fine and sunny weather.

(JM)