Young bridge divers risking death warns council chief
YOUTHS TOLD THEY COULD SUFFER FATAL INJURIES FROM JUMPING INTO WATER
THRILLSEEKERS jumping into the water at Salford Quays could suffer fatal injuries, council bosses have warned.
Our shocking images show people jumping and ‘tombstoning’ from a bridge into a basin of Manchester Ship Canal during the recent hot weather.
And Salford council chiefs are pleading with people to think before they take the plunge, warning they are putting their lives at risk.
Swimmers also face the danger of ‘cold shock’ as they jump in, which can be strong enough to cause a heart attack, the fire service and United Utilities have warned.
The council has already introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across Salford Quays in a bid to clampdown on the dangerous behaviour. Those caught jumping into the water could face a fine up to £1,000.
Coun John Warmisham, Salford council’s chairman of licensing and safety regulatory panel, said: “These young people just seem hell bent on the danger of jumping from the bridge. When you jump from such a height you don’t know what’s at the bottom. You could break limbs, break your neck or literally kill yourself. They are young thrill -seekers who are putting their lives in danger.” Police were spotted on the bridge on Tuesday afternoon dispersing children who had gathered there. Coun Warmisham added: “We have tried to get the message through the council, schools and youth services about how dangerous it is. “I want to send a message to parents, do you know where your children are and what they are doing?” The fire service said it had to rescue 63 people from open water last year. Jon Aspinall of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “When the sun comes out and it’s nice and warm it can be tempting to take a dip in reservoirs, lakes and rivers, but it is incredibly dangerous and sadly people drown every year as a result of swimming in open water. “Reservoirs are huge bodies of deep, open water and surprisingly the temperature rarely rises above 12C. “This is low enough to cause shock and increased breathing rate – muscles will stiffen and fatigue will set in very quickly, making it impossible to swim to safety. “Even the strongest swimmers would struggle.” Coun John Warmisham, Salford council