A new video of the horrific moment when a teen jumped off San Diego’s famous Sunset Cliffs –– smacking his backside against the sharp rocks.
The footage, captured from two different angles, shows the 17-year-old making a run before leaping off the ledge, at a location well-known for illegal cliff diving.
The new side-angle video suggests he hadn’t fully committed to the jump before takeoff, with his feet continuing a running motion after becoming airborne. The sloping sand beneath his feet may also have caught him off guard at takeoff.
After the teen bounced off the rock ledge, a collective “ooooooh” was shouted by the crowd before a bystander jumped in to help him.
The extent of the daredevil’s injuries is currently unknown.
The scary incident happened around 4:30 last weekend, he was transported to the hospital by 5:15 pm, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Public Information Officer Candace Hadley told NBC 7.
“We want locals and visitors to enjoy San Diego’s coastline safely. Please stay back from cliff edges, follow all posted warnings and never jump from cliffs or other elevated areas into the water,” Officer Hadley said.
Cliff diving near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard continues to be a favorite activity for locals and tourists, despite frequent warnings and legal restrictions. From the extending arch, people regularly jump even though signs warn of fines and arrests.
A 15-year-old boy, who jumped off the cliffs in 2019 died after being underwater for nearly an hour. A report says there’s been an average of five deaths and injuries annually at Sunset Cliffs between 2005 and 2017.
