Emergency services in Victoria have issued a stark warning to thrillseekers, urging them to reconsider participating in a perilous cliff jumping trend popularised on social media. This comes after three individuals were seriously injured in separate incidents over just three days at popular coastal spots around Melbourne.
A Spate of Serious Injuries
The most recent victim, an 18-year-old man, suffered suspected spinal injuries after plunging approximately 40 metres at Red Bluff in Black Rock, located in Melbourne's south. The incident occurred around 8.30pm on Sunday, with the teenager rushed to hospital for urgent treatment.
This followed two other serious incidents at well-known locations. On Monday afternoon, a man in his 20s was injured at The Pillars in Mount Martha. Ambulance Victoria paramedic Andrew Burns described a common and dangerous pattern. “It was just another case of someone falling in and injuring themselves once they’ve made contact with the water or hitting a rock on the way down,” Burns said.
Just days earlier, on Friday, paramedics performed a complex rescue of a 24-year-old woman at Beaumaris. “She had significant chest and upper body injuries and it’s a very complex case to manage,” Burns explained, highlighting the severe potential consequences of these jumps.
Tourists and Locals Ignore the Dangers
Despite the clear and present danger, dozens of beachgoers continued to take risks at The Pillars on Monday. The location remains a notorious party spot on hot days, much to the frustration of local residents. One local expressed their concern, telling 7NEWS, “I feel like the locals don’t get hurt. It’s more the tourists because they’re not used to this place.”
This sentiment was underscored by an incident involving an Italian tourist who injured themselves after misjudging the water depth. “The level of the water was too small ... so I jumped on my feet,” the tourist admitted.
Authorities Target Social Media Boasting
Authorities have directly criticised the trend of posting and boasting about cliff jumps on platforms like Instagram. They emphasise that the activity is unsafe for everyone, regardless of whether they are familiar with the area.
With a hot stretch of weather forecast for Victoria, the warning from emergency services is unequivocal. Paramedic Andrew Burns delivered a powerful message aimed directly at those tempted by the trend for online clout: “Your life or living with a disability is not worth a single picture on Instagram.”
The combination of unpredictable water depths, hidden rocks, and the sheer height of the cliffs makes these jumps extremely hazardous. Authorities urge the public to seek thrills in safer, controlled environments and to think critically about the real-world risks behind dangerous online trends.
