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Tuesday, 2nd December 2008

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Pier jumper "may never walk again"



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Published Date: 13 May 2008
A man who jumped off South Parade Pier in a practice known as 'tombstoning' has been told he may never walk again.
Sonny Wells, 20, from Waterlooville is in Southampton General Hospital's neurological unit with serious injuries.

In a statement, Hampshire Police say Sonny broke his neck in the fall and has been told he may never walk again.

The accident happened when Sonny jumped off the pier into water which was only 3.5ft deep at 1.30pm on Sunday.

This has led to calls for a crackdown on 'tombstoning' after a man was left fighting for his life at the weekend.

Police have said they want to see dispersal orders in place to stop to thrillseeking youngsters leaping into the sea from great heights.

The order would mean officers would make high-visibility patrols around tombstoning hotspots – such as South Parade Pier, where 20-year-old Sonny plunged from on Sunday.

They would have the power to order people to leave the area and if they return within 24 hours they would be fined.

Chief Inspector James Fulton said: 'We'd be happy to support that type of action.'

Leader of Portsmouth City Council Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson has said he will investigate the matter.

If the council and police do opt to push forward with the measures it

>>> Leave messages of support to Sonny by commenting below.

The full article contains 236 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 May 2008 2:13 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Portsmouth
 
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Andrew Stillwell,

13/05/2008 11:05:42
Whilst its tragic why dont they put pictures of him up as he is now. If thats not deterent enough should we really care whether they jump or not as they obviously havent got a brain.
2

am8631,

Waterlooville 13/05/2008 11:51:50
How many times do these idiots need to be told?! This was a grown man who should have known better. I feel sorry for his family who will now have to look after him 24/7!
3

rvz,

fareham 13/05/2008 12:00:26
sorry to say this but no simpathy for him at all
theres to many idiots doing this and it was bound to happen
4

Topssot,

Portsmouth 13/05/2008 12:35:48
Living (mainly) proof Darwin was right. There are signs up warning people not to jump, if people are too stupid to read, or too stubborn to heed, let them get on with it.
5

no 6,

Fareham 13/05/2008 12:36:31
Perhaps Mr Wells has some advice for others wishing to partake ?

6

,

13/05/2008 12:59:58
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
7

Andrew Stillwell,

13/05/2008 13:36:07
Technically we will all pay for his moment of madness.

As tragic as it is he will be on substantial disability benefit the rest of his life which we the tax payer will be footing the bill for.

Perhaps he and his family can educate others on why people shouldnt jump from piers into the water.
8

Lord Steve Of Frogmore Road,

13/05/2008 13:36:56
I find it hard to have sympathy for someone who has brought it onto themselves, this warning goes out every year, EVERY DAMN year about not jumping off the pier! The thing that baffles me is that people want to be submerged in that dirty water anyway. It will only be a matter of time for someone else does this to themselves then again the headline will read something similar to one thats here today.
9

Sweetktg,

Pompey 13/05/2008 13:38:42
It's all good & well asking people to show some sympathy for him, but think of lifes he risked of the rescuers that helped him, think of the lifes he's risked by tying up the helicopter, think of all your tax payers money he's wasted. He deserves no sympathy! All round Pompeys coast Harbour Authorities, RNLI, Coastguard, Lifeguards etc have to waste countless hours & money on these idiots (there's no other way to describe them) jumping & swimming in areas where they're clearly not supposed to, but they still do it. What's wrong with these people, & more importantly, why do their parents let them get away with it or do they just not care?
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Kevin George,

Greenville 13/05/2008 13:45:45
No Sympathy. In fact his family should give him hell too for being so bl**dy stupid. In nature this is what keeps the smarter animals alive and the weaker ones prey. How many times do you tell people, don't jump into the sea, don't climb on top of buildings, don't play on trains, don't play on tracks, electricity kills..etc. There is a limit. Personal responsibility has to be the next Governments watchword - back out of this litigious society and blaming everyone else for our own mistakes.
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