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Darwin Awards
2007 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Tombstoning Tradegy

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

“Tombstoning”, a sport where swimmers dive from ledges into rock-infested seas, is on the increase in parts of Cornwall and Devon. Many young people are killed or seriously injured each year when they hit submerged rocks not visible from the surface.

A 45 year old man on a fishing trip to Torbay in Devon died during one such incident. The man had performed the stunt several times before, plunging from the roof of a deserted quarry building into the sea below, and decided to repeat his daring feat after a night’s imbibing at one of the many local hostelries. He and his slightly inebriated companions arrived at the disused quarry at around 1:20am. The man made for his usual dive spot atop the disused site office roof, and confidently plunged into the inky blackness. This is when tragedy struck. “Tombstoners” would argue that timing is absolutely essential – being unable to precisely judge dive position or the swell of the sea due to poor light may in most circumstances have contributed to the diver’s demise, but most proponents of the sport suggest that one fundamental safety aspect was overlooked in this particular instance – the necessity to check the local tide tables.

A cursory glance with a torch would have revealed to the diver that the tide had in fact receded some distance since his last visit, exposing an array of jagged boulders – truly a case of “look before you leap.”

Submitted on 06/19/2007

Submitted by: Paul B
Reference: Herald Express (Devon), 18/6/07

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

Great? 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Awful?
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>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Given that the idea is to jump into an area known to contain rocks, I see enough stupidity here to give it the nod. Thanks, Paul!


Chip said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Diving in the dark is a sure way to meet your maker. Give the man an award for his successful removal from the pool. Thanks for sending the story, Paul


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