Local Trend is a Leap Too Far

The arrival of surfing champions from around the world in Cornwall yesterday highlighted the dangerous local trend of "tombstoning" - jumping into the sea from cliffs.

Professional surfer Harry Dixon, a 21-year-old Australian, was in hospital after breaking both legs when he gave tombstoning a try and landed in shallow water.

Mr Dixon was in Cornwall this week for the Rip Curl Boardmasters championship, but visited cliffs at Rinsey Head near Penzance because the waves had not been powerful enough for heats to be run.

He leapt off cliffs 16 metres high and is understood to have landed on barely submerged rocks.

He was helped out of the water and airlifted to the Royal Cornwall hospital in Treliske, Truro, by a navy search and rescue helicopter.

Coastguards yesterday warned of the dangers of tombstoning, which resulted in the death of one thrill-seeker in June.

James Instance, Falmouth coastguard watch manager, said: "We deal with dozens of incidents around all of the county's coast, and it seems to be prevalent everywhere.

"Injuries we have seen have ranged from twisting of ankles, very severe spinal injuries, people being paralysed and even deaths. Jumping from cliffs into the sea is not a safe activity at all.

"The water may look clean and clear, which means it's very difficult to ascertain the depth of it. And if it's cloudy or dirty, you can't see if there are any rocks.

"People also underestimate how far they can jump out. They think they can jump six or eight feet out, but can't and find themselves landing on rocks."

He said of Mr Dixon: "This man landed very, very awkwardly and broke both his legs, one of which was an open fracture.

"It was quite serious, particularly as he was in the water when he sustained this injury. When people break legs from doing this, they can very easily drown."