A 17-year-old boy has suffered severe mobility injuries, including six compression fractures to his vertebrae and a nine-stitch foot injury, after jumping off a cliff in San Diego. The incident occurred at Sunset Cliffs, a location known for the dangerous dare. Bystanders and emergency services responded to the scene after the teenager struck the side of the cliff during his jump before falling into the water.
"I slammed against the rock, and I felt like paralyzed, and I couldn’t move," the boy, whose name was not released, told Fox 5 San Diego. "My lungs were burning, my ribs were burning, my spine. It was the weirdest feeling; it was just burning."
Lifeguards and firefighters utilized a technical rope system to rescue the injured teen, who was then transported to a hospital. He is now using a walker as he recovers from his injuries. He expressed a hope that his experience would discourage others from attempting similar dangerous jumps.
Despite the risks and legal prohibitions, teenagers continue to gather at Sunset Cliffs for the dare, sometimes seeking to impress on social media. Lifeguards have emphasized that jumping from heights over five feet is illegal under city ordinance. They also caution about the potential for unseen submerged rocks and the dangers posed by changing tides.
A video capturing the incident showed the boy leaping from the cliff, hitting the rock face, and then entering the water. The video also showed a crowd witnessing the event and another individual jumping in to provide immediate assistance.
Emergency services were called to the location around 4:27 p.m. on Sunday, and the teenager was extricated from the water and taken to the hospital by 5:16 p.m.
Sunset Cliffs has a history of serious incidents. According to OB Rag, between 2005 and 2017, the area recorded 19 deaths and 49 serious injuries. Nevertheless, the site remains a popular, albeit risky, diving spot for both locals and visitors.