Man injured in 'tombstoning' accident
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man was rushed to hospital after tombstoning from a rocky outcrop on a stag weekend, coastguards said today.
The man, from Exeter, who is understood to be in his 30s, was with a group of friends when he leapt into the sea this afternoon.
He had to be pulled from the water at Redgate Beach, in Babbacombe, Devon, before being airlifted to Torbay hospital, a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.
The piece of coastline where he jumped is a renowned tombstoning spot. It is relatively inaccessible with no road access.
Rescue workers from the West Country Ambulance service had to call Brixham Coastguard for assistance just before 1pm and a helicopter was scrambled from Portland, in Dorset.
Fiona Iris, Watch Officer at Brixham Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, warned would-be jumpers against leaping into unknown waters.
"I would like to remind the public tombstoning is a high risk activity as water depth alters with the tide and it can often be shallower than it seems," she said.
"There may also be submerged objects like rocks which can cause serious injury."
The man was said to have hit the water at a "funny angle" before he surfaced.
He immediately complained of neck and back pain before he was dragged from the sea by friends.
The coast guard later confirmed his age to be 37.
A coastguard spokeswoman said the man jumped at a spot between Redgate Beach and Devil's Point but the height of the drop was not known.
The man jumped at a point midway between high and low tide, she said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments