Tombstoning
As Watchkeepers, we are always on the lookout for people or vessels that are in distress or danger. It saddens us therefore when we see people – usually recent school leavers - deliberately put themselves into a dangerous situation. We refer to the act of ‘Tombstoning’, something we see a few times a year as youths jump off the Round Tower into the sea. Admittedly it takes a certain amount of courage to do that; unfortunately, it also involves a high degree of stupidity. Here are the thoughts of one Gosport Watchkeeper on the subject.
Sunny Wells
During 2008 a young man named Sunny Wells jumped off South Parade Pier into shallow water. Although he had jumped from the same spot a number of times before, on this occasion, he had not properly assessed the depth of water below him.
Rescuers rushed to the scene to find him barely conscious and while they supported him and ensured his airways were clear, the emergency services were called. The consequences of his action that day changed the remainder of his life in an instant and, from then on, his family would have to care for his every need. He had broken his neck in two places, impacted his spine and broken his legs. He also required oxygen to help him breath.
He bravely tried to rise above his problems and even managed to use a wheel chair but, sadly, his injuries were so serious that he passed away a matter of months later.
He did not want his experience to be in vain and he contacted the news media to publish his story to try to discourage others from following his example. Posters were displayed in prominent places around Portsmouth warning young people not to risk to their lives. This campaign was met by varying degrees of success but, as time passed (now over fourteen years ago), even this brave and concerned young man’s pleas have faded into yesterday’s news.
The Round Tower is higher than South Parade Pier and it has stone blocks concealed under shallow water at its base at mid-tide to high tide. Added to this, strong currents run during ebb and flood tides.
A young person was seen jumping off the Round Tower by Gosport NCI watch-keepers during the latter half of 2022. He slowly resurfaced and was evidently in difficulty as a number of his friends helped him to the shore.
Gosport NCI Watch-keepers will endeavour to contact Police or Community Wardens with the hope that they may be able to dissuade individuals from pursuing this dangerous activity.
If a jumper survives, we may breathe a sigh of relief. If he is in difficulty and/or does not resurface we will radio for assistance knowing the chances of survival due to injury in strong tidal currents may be reduced. By the time a rescue boat arrives on scene and the person is located very precious time will have been lost.
We will always try to assist but, the truth is, we cannot guarantee that rescue craft will be able to respond quickly enough to save a life. The responsibility rests with the individuals who take part.
If you are a jumper please also remember - your actions may be copied by a younger person who will be even less prepared for the dangers that will confront them!
