Teenager slams in to cliff edge after illegally jumping in to sea
A boy was rushed to hospital in California after a cliff jump went horrifically wrong.
A large group was watching the 17-year-old at San Diego's Sunset Cliffs, on Sunday, July 26, a notorious hotspot for cliff-jumping, even though it's classed as illegal in the area.
The cliffs weren't just a straight drop into the ocean like the White Cliffs of Dover, but instead had a lower level of rock that has to be avoided when leaping into the water.
The teenager didn't clear it.
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Sickening footage shared on social media shows him running and jumping off the cliff as he heads for the water below, but disaster struck a second later as he collided with the cliff.
Even though the video was recorded from some distance away, a solid thud is clearly audible on point of contact.
The observers on the cliff can be then heard expressing their shock before going silent as the boy turned in mid-air and landed head first in the choppy water.
A quick-thinking person stood watching on the lower cliff immediately leapt into the water to assist the injured boy, but he would remain in the water for over 45 minutes.
Emergency services were called at around 4:27pm and he wasn't pulled out of the ocean until 5:16pm.
A technical rescue rig system was required to lift him back to dry land. He was then taken to hospital.
Though the extent of the unidentified teenager's injuries have not yet been revealed, he was said to be breathing and conscious as he was taken away.
Warning issued against cliff jumping
San Diego's Municipal Code prohibits anyone from jumping or diving into the Pacific Ocean or Mission bay from any point higher than five feet above the water.
That includes from man-made structures like diving boards or natural points such as cliffs, making the practice illegal.
Candace Hadley, a spokesperson for San Diego Fire-Rescue, issued a stern warning against anyone considering following the boy over the cliff.
"It's not only extremely dangerous, but also against the law in San Diego,' Hadley told the Daily Mail.
"We really want folks to enjoy our coastline, but we want them to do it safely and to just avoid that."
Hadley pointed out that there are many warnings posted along the coastline asking people to stay away from the cliffs and elevated edges completely, let alone jump off them.
Sunset Cliffs is a popular spot for cliff jumping and has seen multiple accidents. Even fatal ones.
Two deaths in quick succession in the 1990s is what led to it being made illegal to jump from the cliffs.
A report from OB Rag said that between 2005 and 2017 there were 19 deaths and 49 serious injuries at Sunset Cliffs and its waters.
Yet, daredevils continue to cliff jump there.
"We see it a lot though, especially during the summer months when folks are out and about,' Hadley added.
Those found guilty of breaking the law would be committing a misdemeanour. Penalties if convicted can be a fine of no less than $100 or community service, or both.
LADbible Group has approached San Diego Fire Rescue for comment.
Daniel Murphy