‘Tombstoning’ warning from coroner in Jamie Sutton inquest

Jul 29 2009 The Journal

A CORONER urged youngsters not to put their lives at risk leaping into the sea following the death of a teenager. Jamie Sutton was killed after he jumped from 30ft cliffs near Souter Point Lighthouse, in South Tyneside, in May.

The 17-year-old, of Rose Crescent, Whitburn, was with a group of friends. After leaping from what is known locally as The Shelf, he went under water briefly before coming back up to the surface.

He then appeared to be struggling and shouted for help. Emergency services were called to the scene and took him to South Tyneside District Hospital but were unable to revive him.

Now people are being warned not to dice with death by participating in the dangerous craze.

At an inquest in South Tyneside yesterday, coroner Terence Carney recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He added: “I am satisfied from the evidence that this was a young man who was ultimately having fun.

“He was seeking to do something which he felt quite capable of being able to achieve.

“Unfortunately he made an error of judgement and as a consequence of that suffered an awful penalty.

“We have seen quite a lot of young people from time to time doing things which are highly dangerous.