Jumping from Devil's Bridge is against a bylaw. Photo: Karl and Ali CC-BY-SA-2.0
A man has been fined for jumping off a Cumbrian bridge at a beauty spot where a man died last year.
Michael Hugh Sharkey, 24, from Gressingham Drive, Lancaster was fined £170 by Kendal Magistrates for leaping into the River Lune from Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale.
A local bylaw prohibits jumping from the bridge, which was the scene of a fatality in 2012 when Darrell Teal, 22, of Urmston, Manchester, leapt into the water at the site.
Mr Teal failed to resurface in the incident in July last year and Kendal Mountain Rescue Team’s swiftwater rescue experts joined the search for the man over a two-mile stretch of the river.
Police divers found the man’s body seven hours after he was reported to have jumped from the bridge.
Speaking after yesterday’s conviction, Inspector Paul Latham of Cumbria Constabulary said: “There are a number of risks associated with jumping off a bridge including hitting rocks, misjudging the depth of water and sudden immersion in cold water.
“This fine shows we do take this activity very seriously, and work closely with South Lakeland District Council to tackle the dangers.
“If someone jumping is reported to us we will attend and take further action as appropriate.
“However, the responsibility for keeping each other safe falls on the entire community.
“Police cannot be there all the time and we encourage members of the public to either report anyone seen jumping, or to speak to them and advise them of the risks in jumping.
“There is also personal responsibility people need to take to protect their own health and safety. It is an incredibly dangerous activity and I would ask anyone who is considering jumping to think about the risks and effects it will have on family should anything untoward happen.
“Jumping from the bridge is particularly common during the summer months, and we will continue to work with the local community next summer to reiterate the dangers.”
John Barwise, neighbourhood enforcement officer for South Lakeland District Council, said: “The fine imposed on the male who contravened the bylaw that prohibits jumping off Devil’s Bridge into the River Lune was a direct result of a joint enforcement operation carried out by SLDC`s enforcement team and Cumbria police during the summer of 2013.
“The prosecution sends out a clear message that SLDC and Cumbria police will not tolerate the irresponsible actions of members of the public who contravene the bylaw and risk death or serious injury by jumping off the bridge.”
Police said they are currently prosecuting two other men for jumping from Devil’s Bridge.
ian
26 September 2013This has been going on for years and I have taken part many times in my youth. Making a criminal out of some-one for this is utterly disgraceful and a sickening example of how this country is now run.
Will the oxford graduates be hauled up in front of a judge when they jump off Magdalen bridge? I think not.
Hope the people responsible for this can sleep a little easier now they have extinguished a bit more of the joy of life out.....
Richard Webb
26 September 2013England's national sport : Banning things.
Ade
27 September 2013An absolute scandal. Of course it's dangerous - that's why it's so much fun!
bukstar
28 September 2013What was the charge....drunken diving?
Harry Ashcroft
29 September 2013As one of the members of the rescue team called to last years incident, taking time out from family and work commitments to witness the distress caused to family and friends of the casualty, I thoroughly endorse the descision to prosecute the idiots who dive off the bridge for a bit of fun without any consideration for how their actions may effect others.
ian
05 October 2013sorry Harry but more people die on Everest than Devils Bridge.
should we ban that? What about cycling / horseriding etc etc....
Young men will always risks, fact of life, has always happened and always will.
You will not stop that, and far better they take risks with their own life's rather than everyone else's when they drive their cars to devils bridge.....
Robert Fairchild
07 April 2017You can't outlaw stupidity!