'Tombstoning' holidaymaker 'won't walk again'

A 25-year-old holidaymaker faces being permanently disabled after a "tombstoning" accident.

Police said the man from Sheffield sustained a "life changing injury" when he jumped into the water of the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles west of Land's End.

The man leaped into the water near the Mermaid Hotel at Hughtown on the main island of St Mary's.

He was airlifted to the Royal Cornwall hospital in Truro and then on to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon.

"Medical practitioners have concluded the young man will not walk again," said a Devon and Cornwall police spokesman.

Pc Tony Kan, based on the Scillies, said: "This has been a terrible tragedy for this young man and his family and friends.

"The police and our partners in coastal safety can only repeat our advice that this kind of activity often leads to tragic consequences."

The accident on Friday is the latest casualty resulting from "tombstoning" - jumping off cliffs, piers, harbour walls or other high points into water.

Across the country the activity causes about 200 serious injuries a year and claims about 15 lives.

Coastguards and the police have issued a number of warnings about the risks of death and serious injury.

Earlier this month a 26-year-old man almost died after "tombstoning" at the Durdle Door beauty spot in Dorset.

And last month a man died and another was injured "tombstoning" in Devon and Cornwall.

A 46-year-old holidaymaker died when he leaped 30ft into the sea at low tide at Berry Head, Brixham, south Devon.

And in Cornwall a 29-year-old man was taken to hospital after jumping into the sea and knocking himself unconscious at Trevaunance Cove, near St Agnes.

Copyright Press Association 2007

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