Man Hospitalised After Dangerous Eastbourne Pier Jump
A person was rushed to hospital with suspected spinal injuries after leaping from Eastbourne Pier on Sunday evening (27 July).
RNLI Rescue Team Launches Lifeboat
Eastbourne RNLI’s D-Class Inshore Lifeboat was scrambled at 8:12pm following reports of the jump into the sea. Within two minutes, crew found the casualty in shallow water beneath the pier, where quick-thinking bystanders kept them afloat.
RNLI crews carried out an initial check before Coastguard Rescue Officers and ambulance teams arrived. Emergency services worked together to stabilise the individual, who was then taken to hospital for urgent treatment.
Experts Warn: Pier Jumping is Deadly
A spokesperson for Eastbourne RNLI said:
“Jumping from piers might seem like harmless fun — but it can have life-changing or even fatal consequences. Underwater hazards, unpredictable depths, strong currents and cold water shock can all turn a split-second decision into tragedy.”
RNLI Urges Public to Avoid ‘Tombstoning’
The RNLI warned that the dangerous trend of “tombstoning” — jumping from piers, sea walls, or groynes — spikes during summer holidays. They urge everyone to stay safe and think twice before taking the plunge.
In any coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.
