A group of three base jumpers has drawn widespread condemnation after leaping from the viewing deck of Blackpool Tower, a stunt captured on video and intended for social media. The individuals, who identified themselves online as part of a group called Let's Make Stupid Decisions (LMSD), gained access to the platform at a height of 380 feet by using a "specialist tool" to unlock a window, according to Blackpool Tourism, which operates the tower.
The stunt, witnessed by families and schoolchildren, involved the jumpers leaping towards Blackpool Promenade, sailing over powered tram lines. Two of the three landed on the Comedy Carpet artwork, while a third, who was not wearing a helmet, landed on the roof of a former Woolworths building. The window was reportedly closed shortly after the last person jumped.
Blackpool Tourism criticized the jumpers for the “caper,” stating that they had made “failed attempts” at other windows before successfully unlocking one. The organization emphasized that all windows at the top of the tower are securely locked, and the individuals used a specialized tool to discreetly open one. They highlighted that the jump created an “extremely dangerous situation that could have had catastrophic consequences for both those involved and members of the public.”
Lancashire Police have launched an investigation into the incident, reportedly on July 19th, to determine if the individuals broke the law by posing as tourists to access the tower's top deck. Authorities are appealing for information or footage to assist with their inquiries.
The three identified jumpers are Louis Harwood, 41, Matt Oldham, 37, and Theo Featherstone, 28. Their social media accounts were reportedly untagged from the video after media outlets made inquiries. Their group, LMSD, has been involved in similar stunts, including a jump from the Humber Bridge and a leap from Manchester's Trinity Heights tower. The group's organizer, Mark Schroeder, stated that the Blackpool Tower stunt was “meticulously” planned and denied that the windows were damaged, claiming they were opened with a tool purchased online.
Base jumping, an acronym for jumping from Buildings, Antennas, Spans (bridges), and Earth (natural heights), is considered one of the most dangerous extreme sports globally. While not illegal in the UK, jumpers can face legal trouble if they access sites without permission. The sport has seen fatalities, including that of daredevil Andy Lewis in May in the US.
