This page is not a current Christchurch City Council document. Please read our disclaimer.
 |
Tuesday 16 March 1999 |
|
In light of the weekends tragic death, when a young man jumped off The Pier but could not make it back to shore, Council staff are imploring people not to jump off The Pier – for their own safety.
"It’s just not safe to jump off The Pier!" says Peter Francis, Community Advocate for the Burwood/Pegasus area. "Conditions are very deceptive - the water is very shallow in places and there’s often a strong rip to contend with. It’s also a long way to fall, enough to seriously wind someone who has jumped, making it very difficult to swim back to shore," he says.
"The tragic accident at the weekend has highlighted the fact that what may seem like a thrilling idea can so quickly end in tragedy", says Peter Francis.
Signs indicating that the water beneath The Pier is very shallow, and that jumping is discouraged, have been a feature of The Pier since its construction. The Pier is also equipped with lifebuoys and an emergency phone. These are checked regularly to ensure The Pier meets the high standard of safety required by the Christchurch City Council Pier Health and Safety Management Plan.
Pictures of the Pier warning signs are available as digital files for reproduction.
For further information contact:
Carol Soundy, Media Relations Co-ordinator
Phone 371-1949 or 025-220-7248
