Teens injured jumping from The Pillars in Mt Martha
KIDS are risking their lives by jumping from a popular cliff-top spot in Melbourne’s southeast for a cheap social media thrill.
South East
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KIDS jumping from a popular Mornington cliff-top spot are risking their lives for a cheap social media thrill.
And in the latest incident, a young woman has been seriously injured after jumping from the cliff that has become a bucket list item this summer.
The Pillars, located between Mt Martha and Safety Beach, has always been a popular jumping spot for youth, but Mt Martha Life Saving Club president John Harvey said it has recently became a social media phenomenon, attracting jumpers from across Melbourne.
“It’s all over Instagram and there is a Facebook page as well,” he said.
“The people visiting have no knowledge about the area and don’t understand the risks.”
Last week Ally Xu was pulled unconscious from the water about 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 19. It is understood she hit her head before entering the water after attempting a backflip from The Pillars.
Ms Xu later used Facebook to thank those who helped her and urged people to take care at the site. “Everyone please be careful with pillar jumping,” she wrote.
“Thank you for people who help and support me yesterday! I really appreciate it! I’m OK now.”
Mr Harvey said Ms Xu was lucky to be alive after two off-duty life savers came to her aid.
Ms Xu was initially taken to Frankston Hospital and then transferred to The Alfred.
Mr Harvey said there were three accidents at the site last week.
“Two jet skis collided there on Sunday (January 17), probably because they were watching the kids jumping instead of looking where they were going,” he said.
“The next day a woman injured her knee or ankle when she hit the bottom after jumping and then the day after that another woman was hospitalised.”
Mr Harvey said the site was patrolled up to three times a day by life savers at peak times. “We send a boat over to check things out. As soon as the kids see us they stop jumping and wait until we are gone before starting again,” he said.
Frankston Hospital acting clinical director, emergency services Dr Ifeanyi Chiezey said cliff jumpers were risking their lives.
“Pier or cliff jumping injuries we see most often range from broken bones, such as a broken ankle or leg, right up to very serious injuries including spinal or head injuries,” Dr Chiezey said.
Mr Harvey said despite the recent accidents he would not advocate closing the site. “It’s too difficult to block access,” he said.
“People would find a way, even if it meant swimming in from a boat.”