Tombstoning not 'worth the risk' as incidents rise

Jack Dolan, from Medway, was left severely disabled after jumping off Margate's Stone Pier last year

A mother whose son nearly died during a tombstoning incident in Kent last year has warned people that it's "not worth the risk".

Jack Dolan, who is now 16, was left severely disabled after jumping off Margate's Stone Pier last August.

After observing an increase in such incidents, the Coastguard and Port of Dover Police - together with Dover District Council (DDC) - are campaigning to stop people from jumping off structures into the sea, known as tombstoning.

Jack's mum Lisa, who said his accident had taken away much of the family's ability to "lead a normal life", is backing those efforts.

Matt Pavitt, from the South of England Coastguard, says those who want to jump from height should go to a swimming pool

She said: "It looks so inviting, it looks like fun, and I just wish people would understand that it's not.

"It's not even about being able to swim, the impact of hitting that water, the coldness, there's so many things to take into consideration. It just isn't worth jumping."

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said that, since 2004, the Coastguard service had dealt with over 200 incidents in the UK - including 20 deaths.

Jack, who is now brain damaged and uses a wheelchair, spent eight minutes under water before he was pulled out by an unknown kayaker while in cardiac arrest.

According to Mrs Dolan, life since has been "surreal, hell on earth".

"I wouldn't say it's ruined our lives but it's taken away a lot of our ability in life to be able to lead a normal life.

"Not just for Jack but for his sisters and for me - work, home, everything changed," she said.

Ahead of a DDC summer safety event this weekend the pair met Matt Pavitt from the South of England Coastguard, who was involved in Jack's rescue operation.

Mrs Dolan described that first meeting since the accident as "very emotional".

"You kind of want to squeeze them but you don't know them," she said.

When asked about the risks of tombstoning, Mr Pavitt said: "Very bluntly, it will kill you.

"If you want to jump from height, go to a swimming pool and do it."