19.07.2005

Cranes as diving boards

A group of teenagers in Teignmouth, Devon have adopted a new sport, climbing dockside cranes in order to jump or dive into the water below.

A group of eight boys aged around 14 were reported to the emergency services when they were spotted climbing five metres or so up a crane, used for loading and unloading cargoes from coasters at Fish Quay, and then hurling themselves into the estuary, more than 30 feet below. Coastguards intervened and warned the boys of the dangers, stopping the sport on that occasion.

Associated British Ports is now investigating how such cranes can be prevented from being used as a diving board by children. The move follows the incident in Teignmouth.

Teignmouth harbourmaster David Platt said: "Children climb on to vessels all the time in summer, it’s a nightmare."