Charity Trust hits out at those glamourising Tenby 'tombstoning' craze

A charitable trust that owns a building in the heart of Tenby harbour that provides accessible holiday accommodation for families with disabled children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, has criticised thrill-seekers that have glamourised the act of ‘tombstoning’ by spreading it on social media.
The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust this summer has further called for Dyfed-Powys Police and the Local Authorities to act on the situation, after youths continued to access its building to give them a vantage point to dive and jump into the water from a great height - stating that a ‘fatality’ will occur should this act of tombstoning not be clamped down on.
The Trust which caters for children and adults with disabilities and mobility needs, has further criticised those that have ‘spectacularised’ this high-risk, unregulated activity.
“We are extremely concerned that these events are now being filmed by drone by a local photographer and shared on social media,” stated the charity’s Senior Administrator, Carol Lincoln.
“The activity is effectively being spectacularised, without adequately highlighting the dangers involved.
“We are extremely concerned that this is contributing to the rapid increase in numbers participating.
“What was once an occasional problem has now developed into a significant and increasingly popular activity, with ever larger groups accessing our roof.
“As police have already pointed out, the greater the number of people jumping or even simply accessing our roof, the greater the possibility of a fatality. This risk is now very real,” she continued.
Police were once again called to the harbour again over August, when dozens of people accessed the roof to jump in the sea.
One such person was a man who goes by the mantle of ‘adventuross_’ on Instagram (Ross Williams) who posted on social media, alongside a video of him and others jumping from the building: “Got to keep the Tenby tradition going! Who thinks the UK should bring back 10m public diving platforms? They're all over Europe so why not the UK?
“It would stop wasting police time and people can cool down in a fun way. Also could open up opportunities for people that enjoy sending flips!”
Carol from the Trust says that the situation has now escalated significantly this summer.
“This last month, as many as 24 young people on every high tide have been on our roof, jumping from the adjacent property into the sea and, in the process, causing continued and deliberate damage to the fabric of the building,” she continued.
“We are now also experiencing youths hammering on our doors and windows as they climb onto and descend from the roof.
“This is understandably terrifying for the vulnerable families staying inside the property.”
©Video: 'adventuross_’ on Instagram