Security to close off access to areas used for jumping and diving from isle piers will be considered following the tragic accident in Margate which has left a 15-year-old boy in a vegetative state.
On June 23 Chatham teenager Jack Dolan became unconscious in the water after diving from the Stone Pier in Margate.
The youngster was given emergency treatment by paramedics before being taken to King’s College Hospital by the Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex.
Tragically, despite the medical team’s best efforts an MRI scan showed there was no brain activity and Jack will not recover. Initially he was to be moved to a hospice but is now going to be cared for by his parents until he passes.
At a council meeting last week Thanet council leader Rick Everitt said the incident, and that of Emily Stokes who died of a suspected drug overdose after attending a drum and bass event at Dreamland, were both subject to “police investigation and legal process.”
He added that Thanet council is responsible for the Stone Pier, saying: “I want to reassure councillors and the public that we take both incidents seriously.”
He added: “There is an ongoing problem with people jumping into the sea, particularly from the harbour arm in Ramsgate during the school summer holiday period and I have asked officers to review our precautions again in light of the incident in Margate.”
Cllr Everitt said the council would do “everything possible…to keep people safe.”
Last year Thanet council closed part of the West Pier in Ramsgate Harbour due to groups of youths who had been ‘tombstoning’ – jumping into the sea from the East and West Piers close to moving vessels – putting their safety at risk. Seasonal security staff were deployed at the East Pier during the day throughout the summer season.
In 2020 Margate lifeboat crew had to assist a male who was ‘tombstoning’ off the harbour arm and reportedly hit the wall and injured his head and arms. He had been in the water for some 20 minutes before the lifeboat picked him up and landed him ashore and into the care of the ambulance service.
That same summer a youth suffered injuries after jumping into the sea from Broadstairs Pier and hitting the bottom.
The youth had made it ashore with a broken ankle and knee.
Cllr Everitt said signs and other methods of warning people about jumping/diving from harbour arms are in place but additional measures may be taken.
He said: “While there are bylaws in place that prohibit swimming in the harbour, we recognise that education and information, rather than enforcement, are more practical in deterring people from jumping into the sea from high points.
“There are fixed signs in place all year round at key points. There are plans to add more signs. During the summer season, a number of mechanisms are used to warn and inform people of potential danger of jumping into the water.
“Bright red warning signs in A-frames are put out by the RNLI. Coastal Enforcement Officers are on patrol and proactively encourage people back to the beach and loud hailers are used as needed to warn of danger.
“In the past, security has been employed to actively close off access and prevent antisocial behaviour and will be considered again, as necessary.. We continue to work with our partners, including Kent Police and the RNLI and plans are in place for education / awareness days throughout the summer.”
Thanet’s RNLI Lifeguards have previously highlighted the dangers of jumping or diving from a height into water.
Water depth is often deceiving and can result in injury at low tide. Hidden dangers beneath the water include dumped items such as shopping trolleys which are often found and removed.
