I've only witnessed it (and many times) while on holiday in Spain. The vast majority of those doing it were teenagers about 15-19. Of course it's dangerous and reckless, that's probably half the thrill.
I have just seen the police post. The helicopters had to land because two of the jumpers had serious injuries. From the look of the crowds, they couldn't have social distanced even without the helicopters.
As a teen in central London, the summer thing was jumping off the bridges into the Thames. A boy I knew broke his neck doing it....quadriplegic just like that...and a couple of years ago another lad in the city near me (Hampshire) did the same thing, because it was the thing to do, with the same result. I know Darwin Awards and stuff but all that life ahead, all that promise, lost over one stupid act.
//I know Darwin Awards and stuff but all that life ahead, all that promise, lost over one stupid act. //
That's what I'm saying woof. Kids doing stupid things when egged on by other kids is never good or funny, whether it's taking drugs or jumping off a high height into shallow water. It's always sad.
If it's true, that is ridiculous Ellipsis. If I'd arrived at that place and seen that, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else. Virus or no virus.
/// and a couple of years ago another lad in the city near me (Hampshire) did the same thing,///
Would that be Southsea - I seem to remember a lad in a wheelchair appealing in the local newspaper to other youngsters how dangerous it was after he was crippled for life. At one of the Southsea/Portsmouth tombstoning sites there is the additional danger of very strong tides in and out of the busy harbour mouth.
Didn't we all jump from great heights (sometimes into water) when we were kids or drunken teenagers? (well, the males did. The females usually had more sense)
It's a picturesque area but beaches tend to be small and a pain to get to all along there. We dont bother as can walk to a sandy beach from home. Tomb-stoning still popular and still just as dangerous.
Many Grocks dont understand how dangerous water is; currents, rocks just below surface etc.