Portrait of a tombstoner (From Bournemouth Echo)

Portrait of a tombstoner

8:00am Thursday 16th August 2007 in

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IT COULD be a portrait of an idiot.

The RNLI has issued a profile of what has been described as a "typical tombstoner", following concerns that the highly dangerous activity is on the increase.

Coastguards in Dorset described tombstoners earlier this week as "bloody idiots" after a 26-year-old Weymouth man narrowly survived a 65ft jump off Durdle Door.

The RNLI, which employs lifeguards on 71 beaches in the south and east of England, has had to deal with seven major incidents this summer involving people who jump in to the sea from a height of at least 30ft.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents also claims that more than 100 people are admitted to hospital every year for treatment following tombstoning incidents.

Research of recent incidents shows that the typical tombstoner is 28 years old, male, often part of a group with others of a similar age, either living locally or holidaying in the south of England and will jump an average of 32 feet.

The RNLI's beach safety manager said: "Obviously there are exceptions to the rule. A 14-year-old girl and three men in their 40s have also been victims of this tragic activity. However this profile does seem to reflect the typical person involved in tombstoning incidents tat the RNLI has encountered recently.

"Worryingly, this year so far there have been at least five deaths that we know of from tombstoning. Compare this with research from the RoSPA, which details only seven deaths from tombstonng over a six year period from 1997 to 2003 and we have a serious situation on our hands.

"Our advice applies to everyone, young, old, male and female- do not do it. Jumping from a height in to water can kill. I urge people to think of the consequences of their actions. Young adults and teenagers can be impressionable and there have been reports of websites displaying tombstoning videos and incidents involving older men jumping into the sea. I'm concerned that young people may try to copy what they see."

He added: "The aim of the RNLI's lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews is to ultimately save lives at sea. When a jump turns to tragedy it is a terribly sad use of their time."

Earlier this year the RNLI joined forces with the Great British Diving Federation to highlight the issue of tombstoning following news that more than 70 per cent of indoor diving centres have shut down over the past 30 years.