‘Tombstone’ warning
PEOPLE are being warned of the dangers of jumping into disused quarry pools after incidents of what’s known as “tombstoning” in North Wales.
Concerns have been raised young people are putting their lives at risk in the dangerous stunts, which are often filmed and posted on social media.
“Tombstoners” filmed themselves leaping 60ft from ledges into water at Dorothea Quarry in Talysarn, near Caernarfon, last month.
Now quarry managers, backed by the police, lifeboat and council chiefs, are warning about the dangers.
Supt Nigel Harrison said: “We have a moral and legal responsibility to protect lives, part of which involves pointing out potential dangers and advising people, particularly young people, accordingly.
“Unregulated tombstoning is a very dangerous practice, and whilst the death of a young woman in May in Fairbourne is still to be examined by HM Coroner, jumping from a height into water appears to be a contributory factor.
“We have seen via social media some very close calls at other locations, where those jumping have been painfully close to serious injury.”
Helen Church, of the RNLI, said: “The water may be shallower than it looks. Submerged items may not be visible and can cause life-changing injuries if you hit them. The shock of cold water may also make it difficult to swim.”
Quarry spokesman Nigel Spiers said: “We wholeheartedly support the police in what they are doing. We have just commissioned further on-site safety work to be carried out and would urge the local community to get in touch with the police if they see any dangerous or suspicious activity occurring around Dorothea.”
Gwynedd councillor Ioan Thomas, added: “It should be remembered the water temperature in these pools can be dangerously cold even during prolonged periods of warm weather.”