Teenager airlifted to hospital after he ‘tombstones’ off bridge in Ilkley

The 18-year-old boy was said by witnesses to have jumped hand in hand with his girlfriend from the New Brook Street road bridge at about noon yesterday, after they both climbed onto the parapet.

The girl is believed to have escaped unhurt but emergency services confirmed that an 18-year-old male was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with suspected ankle fractures.

A road ambulance crew managed to get the teenager to the bank and then called in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, from Leeds Bradford Airport.

The incident was recorded as an accident arising from “recreational jumping”. The youth was said to be “comfortable” in hospital later.

It sparked fresh warnings that people out enjoying the sunshine should not risk their lives by jumping into water from bridges, cliffs or piers.

Ilkley parish councillor Heathcliffe Bowen added: “We have had problems like this before at this bridge. Often, the river is quite full but at the moment it is very low. because of the lack of rain. The jump would be a dangerous one at the best of times and it is very worrying that somebody has done it in current conditions.”

Locals said the drop would have been around 30 feet, into only a few inches of water.

A footbridge across the Wharfe to the east of Ilkley has been a popular “tombstoning” venue – and a safer one, because the water is usually deep there – but it has been made difficult to climb over to discourage jumping.