A 14-year-old boy has been left seriously injured after tombstoning into a Scots harbour. The schoolboy injured his leg after plunging into the water in Dunbar, East Lothian, on Thursday, August 13.
Rescue operation launched
Rescue crews, including RNLI, were scrambled to the incident after the alarm was raised at 6.30pm. Teams launched the inshore D class lifeboat 'David Lauder' and quickly located the boy, who had managed to get himself out of the water and onto steps near the harbour entrance.
The crew assisted paramedics by helping the boy onto the lifeboat and brought him ashore where he was transferred over to a waiting ambulance.
Warning from RNLI
Dunbar RNLI lifeboat helm Laura Kirkham said: "Tombstoning, or cliff jumping, into the harbour might seem like fun but there’s always a danger of hidden rocks and unknown depths that can result in serious life-changing injuries and even death. As tempting as it is to cool off in hot weather, we’re urging people to think before they jump."
Kirkham added: "The bystanders did the right thing in flagging us down for assistance while waiting for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The few seconds of thrill that come from tombstoning can lead to consequences that last a lifetime, not only for the individual involved but also for their family, friends and those who witness or respond to the incident."
Aftermath
After handing the casualty over to medics, the volunteer crew returned to their exercise. The lifeboat was then refuelled and readied for its next emergency.
