Yahoo Finance Tombstoning Surge Triggers Call For More Action
A summer holiday surge in tombstoning has led to calls for the Government to extend an awareness campaign to schools across the UK.
Currently, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's campaign warning of the dangers of jumping from big heights into water unsupervised and of cold water shock is targeted at men aged between 18 and 29.
But the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents dozens of councils and fire and rescue authorities, wants it tailored and rolled out to schools to make younger people aware of the risks.
The coastguard dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning between 2005 and 2015.
Those incidents resulted in 83 injuries and 20 deaths.
Simon Blackburn, chairman of the LGA's safer and stronger communities board, urged the Government to act quickly to increase awareness.
He said: "Tombstoning is extremely dangerous and grim statistics show that anyone doing it could kill themselves or end up with life-changing or serious injuries.
"Jumping into water may appear enticing during warm weather, but you should never jump off any structure directly into the sea or a river as you can never be sure how deep the water is below.
"Shallow water, unseen objects under the water, hitting something on the way down or simply landing badly can lead to people being killed or paralysed.
"The message is clear - if you don't know that the depth of the water is safe or you cannot see what is below the surface, don't jump."
Councils are also warning about the danger of cold water shock and of swimming in the sea and open water.
It comes after five people died during a beach day trip to Camber Sands in East Sussex.
Mr Blackburn said: "Young people across the country, not just those living near the sea, need to be aware of the dangers as they also relate to inland rivers and canals.
"We are calling on the Government to extend a campaign by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the dangers of jumping into water and cold water shock to schools nationwide as the dangers exist for everyone, particularly vulnerable teenagers playing games of dare."
