Tombstoning prank left teenager hospitalised

A TEENAGER suffered life-threatening injuries when a friend pushed him into the sea during a “tombstoning” prank.

Luke Greenwood, 14, spent three weeks in hospital after suffering a fractured skull, neck and rib, a punctured lung and a blood clot on the brain when Kyle Farrell, 15, pushed him off a high sea wall in Bridlington.

The pair had been “tombstoning” during school holidays last summer – a craze where thrill-seekers plunge into the sea from a great height.

But seconds after Farrell, of Hull, pushed Luke towards the water his head struck a concrete plinth, causing multiple injuries.

Farrell, who had previously received an anti-social behaviour order, was convicted of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm – and a judge took the unusual step of allowing him to be identified to publicise the risks.

Bridlington Magistrates’ Court heard that at about 8pm on August 13 last year, a group of youths had gathered at a high sea wall in the town, some wearing wetsuits preparing to jump in.

Andrew Vaughan, prosecuting, said: “The defendant’s actions led to Luke’s injuries. He acted recklessly in pushing Luke from a position on the wall which was not normally safe for jumping.”

Witnesses confirmed they had seen Farrell push Luke off the wall with both hands.

One 13-year-old boy said: “I saw Kyle push Luke. He said something like ‘go on, get in’ and then pushed him.”

After the incident, Farrell ran down to the sea to help pull the injured boy from the water – before calling his mother to say “I’m a murderer” and fleeing.

Ed Cunnah, defending, said the group had been engaged in “horseplay” throughout the day. and that Farrell only meant to “startle” his friend.

Farrell denied the offence. He will be sentenced next month.