Tombstoning tragedy as man dies after jumping from danger pier

They are understood to have leapt into the water with three friends after a drinking session in a pub.

The pair, both in their 40s, were trapped by strong currents underneath the pier.

Lifeboats came to their rescue and the two men were flown to hospital where one was declared dead on arrival. The other was in intensive care last night. Their three friends had made it to shore safely.

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Tombstone tragedy: Clacton pier in Essex. Circled is the spot where the man leapt to his death

Coastguards and emergency services have issued frequent warnings about tombstoning in which participants jump into water from cliffs, walls and piers.

The pier where Saturday's tragedy took place - at Clacton-on-Sea in Essex - carries numerous signs warning against jumping into the sea.

The activity, which is usually associated with teenagers, takes its name from the dangers involved in taking part.

The owner of a stall on the pier, who asked not to be named, said he saw the men leap.

He added: 'A security guard had been talking to them and telling them not to jump.

'But seconds after he turned his back they leapt over the railings. The lifeboats were called out and the rescue helicopter came and took these two blokes away. It's awful.'

Alan Lane, 60, said he saw the men being pulled under by a rip tide and swept out to sea at around 6.30pm.

The fisherman said: 'They jumped from where it says no jumping.

'Three of them swam back to shore but two shot under the pier. There's a strong rip tide - it picks up really fast. We get so many people with the combination of sun and cheap booze doing stupid things.'

The rescue effort involved RNLI lifeboats and the Coastguard rescue helicopter which took the men, both locals, to Colchester General Hospital.

Speaking from the scene, Chief Inspector Steve Robinson said: 'They were taken from the sea about 200 yards from the shore. It was our first weekend day of hot weather and there were large groups of people in the town centre.

'This gang unfortunately got themselves involved in this incident.'

Anthony Mayhew of the Thames Coastguard said: 'Once again, we see another fatality sustained by jumping from cliffs or structures into water. People of all ages are still not getting the message. Jumping from any cliff or structure into water is dangerous. It could result in serious injury or death.'

In June, a man was killed when he plunged on to rocks in Brixham, Devon. It was one of three incidents last month. In the other two a 29-year-old man was found unconscious after jumping from cliffs in Cornwall while a 14-year-old girl injured her spine when she leapt from a cliff in Paignton, Devon.

A 23-year- old man died while tombstoning at Ansteys Cove, also in Devon, two years ago.