What makes tombstoning so dangerous in the hot weather

The canal at Parkgate, Rotherham, close to where the body of an 11-year-old boy was pulled from the water.

In the latest incident, an 11-year-old boy died after “tombstoning” from a bridge in Rotherham with a group of friends.

Tombstoning is the practice of jumping or diving from a height into water. The Maritime and Coastgard Agency defines it as “a high-risk, unregulated activity, undertaken by unsupervised individuals”.

The organisation has dealt with more than 200 incidents in the last decade, with 70 injuries and 20 deaths.

It warns that tombstoning is particularly dangerous because water depth alters with the tide, and the water may be shallower than it seems.

Additionally, the shock of cold water makes it difficult to swim, and strong currents can rapidly sweep swimmers away.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue watch manager Gary Willoughby said: “Unfortunately it’s aptly named. It’s jumping from unknown heights into unknown depths of water.

“They tend to jump straight into the water. They don’t assess the water temperature, they don’t see if there are any dangers hidden under the water - shopping trolleys, cars, anything like that, any reeds they might get tangled in.

“They don’t even assess how deep the water is before they jump.”

Mr Willoughby added: “It’s being going on for years and years. Even when I was a boy, people were doing this.

“My motto is ‘no life guard means no swimming’. Stay away from canals and rivers.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises: “Don’t jump into the unknown” and has published this checklist for thrill-seekers:

• Check for hazards in the water. Rocks or other objects may be submerged and difficult to see

• Check the depth of the water. Remember tides can rise and fall very quickly

• As a rule of thumb, a jump of ten metres requires a depth of at least five metres

• Never jump whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Check for access. It may be impossible to get out of the water

• Consider the risks to yourself and others. Conditions can change rapidly – young people could be watching and may attempt to mimic the activity. And, if you jump when you feel unsafe or pressured, you probably won’t enjoy the experience.