Dickabram Bridge daredevils video themselves in death defying dives

Police say they are aware of a video of people diving from the extreme height of an arch straddling the Dickabram Bridge at least 30m above the Mary River near Gympie. Watch the video

A group of death defying daredevils have filmed themselves doing a series of dives and somersaults from the terrifying height of the Dickabram Bridge at Miva, plunging 30m into the muddy waters of the Mary River below.

Police on February 10 said they were aware of the video and warned anyone else thinking of doing it that they could be charged under the Summary Offences Act 2005.

“Police strongly discourage this high-risk and dangerous behaviour which can result in tragedy,” a statement from Police Media read.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact police.”

The Dickabram is a heritage listed road and rail bridge north west of Gympie built in the mid 1880s and now recognised Queensland’s oldest bridge of its kind. Its deck spans the river north of Gympie and sits 23m above the water line.

The group posted the video to the Facebook page Sentdownunder which has a following of more than 8200 people and features similar daring diving stunts from all over Australia.

A still from the video of young men doing multiple somersaults from the top of the arch of Miva’sDickabram Bridge, which stands about 30m above the water and has had almost 100,000 views and plenty of criticism. The video was posted to the Facebook page Sentdownunder.

The young men throw large stones from their diving spots atop the arch into the water first - about 30m below - something they seem to indicate gives them an idea of the depth of the water.

“Great bridge to jump off however make sure to depth check as the tide can change a lot.”

The reel was posted on February 3, and by the following day, had 9200 views, 2700 Likes and almost 300 comments and counting.

Gympie councillor Dolly Jensen grew up near the Dickabram Bridge, and often swam as a child in the river under the bridge.

When shown the video on Wednesday her first response was “bloody idiots”.

Local youths bungee jump off the Dickabram Bridge in the 1980s. Photo courtesy Dolly Jensen.

She said nobody she knew ever jumped off the bridge as the local kids were “not that stupid”.

“We never swam in the river when there was a fresh in it. You never knew what was in the water...ie logs and dead cows,” she said.

There was a time in the 1980s, however when a number of young people bungee jumped from the top of the Dickabram Bridge.

The Facebook page Sentdownunder was contacted for a comment.

Gympie ambulance officer in charge Wayne Sachs said “as paramedics, we see the aftermath of when these high-risk activities go wrong”.

“No matter how careful you think you may be, you are placing your body on the line when jumping into murky water with concealed dangers.

“Even if you escape death, at great heights you are facing life-altering injuries.

“The long-lasting impacts don’t just affect the risk-taker, but also their family who will have to take care of them.

“Cutting your life tragically short is not worth the social media views.”