Press Notice No: 157 09
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Posted 09:51 GMT

Tombstoning claims another life after a 17 year old dies from his injuries at the weekend after jumping from rocks at South Shields. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (MCA) want to persuade young people to consider the risks involved and reinforce the message – dont jump into the unknown!

The MCA has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of tombstoning. Outdoor posters and stickers are available for use at danger spots such as promenades, harbours and piers. The MCA is working in partnership with the RNLI and RoSPA to tackle this growing problem through educational initiatives and working with local authorities who have tombstoning blackspots in their area.

Mike Bill from Humber Coastguard said,

This sad loss highlights the dangers of tombstoning and pier-jumping and our sympathies are with the family. Coastguard figures show this is the ninth coastal death in just two years but hundreds of incidents happen every year and many end in severe permanent injuries.

We advise people never to tombstone or pier-jump. Jumping from height into water is dangerous because water depth alters with the tide and it might be shallower than it appears, submerged objects like rocks and structures may not be visible, the shock of cold water can make it difficult to swim, plus strong currents can sweep people away.

This activity is becoming increasingly popular and although we realise we cant stop everyone who wants to participate in this activity, we urge people to use common sense and consider the advice on offer:

Think before you jump:

• Be aware of the depth of the water. Remember tides go in and out very quickly – it may start off deep enough but can quickly become shallower
• Be aware of hazards in the water. Rocks, groynes or debris under the sea may not be visible through the surface
• Never jump from any object into the sea while under the influence of alcohol or peer pressure
• Consider the risk to others. Young children may be easily influenced by the behaviour they witness

End of quote.


New technology used for the first time to promote public safety message: The MCA tombstoning safety poster includes a 2D barcode which enables mobile internet phone users to scan the code and immediately launch a web page with an additional message about the dangers of tombstoning. This is believed to be the first time this technology has been used to promote a public safety message.
See and download the poster at www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/tombstoningadvice



Notes to Editors:


The 17 year old Jamie Sutton was pulled from the sea near Souter Lighthouse at Whitburn on Wednesday 13th May after getting into difficulty when he jumped from the cliffs in a craze known as tombstoning.

If you have an on line offering we would be grateful if you can place a link to the tombstoning web page at www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/tombstoningadvice with a link to MCA video podcasts to see interviews with tombstoning injury survivors.




Posted By: Julia Gosling

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401