RNLI warns against 'tombstoning' after boy, 14, injured in harbour plunge in East Lothian
‘The few seconds of thrill that come from tombstoning can lead to consequences that last a lifetime’ - Laura Kirkham
Dunbar RNLI has issued an urgent warning against ‘tombstoning’ after a teenager was seriously hurt jumping into the town’s harbour from a height.
The 14-year-old boy injured his leg after plunging into the water on Thursday, August 13, at around 6.30pm.
The volunteer RNLI crew was about to launch on a training exercise when the alarm was raised.
They launched the inshore D-class lifeboat David Lauder and quickly found the boy, who had managed to get himself out of the water, on steps near the harbour entrance.
The RNLI crew assisted paramedics by helping the boy onto the lifeboat and taking him ashore, where he was transferred to a waiting ambulance.
Dunbar RNLI lifeboat helm Laura Kirkham said: “Tombstoning, or cliff jumping, into the harbour might seem like fun but there’s always a danger of hidden rocks and unknown depths that can result in serious life-changing injuries and even death.
“As tempting as it is to cool off in hot weather, we’re urging people to think before they jump.
“The bystanders did the right thing in flagging us down for assistance while waiting for the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
Ms Kirkham said: “The few seconds of thrill that come from tombstoning can lead to consequences that last a lifetime, not only for the individual involved but also for their family, friends and those who witness or respond to the incident.”
After handing the casualty over to medics, the volunteer crew returned to their exercise. Upon competition of the exercise the lifeboat was refuelled and readied for its next emergency.
The incident was the second in 24 hours for the Dunbar lifeboat crew and the first for recently passed-out helm Ms Kirkham.
On Wednesday, August12, the volunteers were paged by HM Coastguard after a report that someone was in distress in the harbour. After launching and finding nothing untoward the crew were stood down.