27 March 2023 , 19:06
615
0
A tourist in Majorca tragically died after he jumped off a 12-metre cliff having misjudged its height.
The man, 26, was visiting from California in the US, but was sadly killed when he landed on the rocks below.
Local reports from the Mallorca Zeitung say the man was visiting Cala Varques Bay in the eastern part of the Balearic island when the incident occurred at 1.50pm on March 25.
Shocked witnesses attempted to aid the stricken tourist and people in a nearby sailing boat rushed to help.
The man had stopped breathing by the time emergency services had taken him to shore, away from the difficult-to-reach cove he was injured in.
Missing radioactive capsule found after huge search - and it's the size of a pea
Emergency services were called to the scene and included police and maritime rescue and a helicopter, but the man died from his injuries.
The American was visiting Mallorca on holiday (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cliff diving experts warn against inexperienced divers for testing terrain they do not know much about.
People should always inspect the water to make sure it is deep enough and check their surroundings to make sure they won't fall onto any obstacles.
Ridestore magazine said: "A cliff jumper can reach speeds well over 100km/h before hitting the water depending on height, and a poor landing at those speeds make injuries a real thing.
"The most common injuries include bruises, abrasions, compression fractures, concussions, and even spinal damage."
Bay of Cala Varques in Mallorca (Getty Images/iStockphoto)In a sickening tragedy last year, a dad died while on holiday with his family in Spain's Malgrats Islands after a dive went horribly wrong
His wife, standing on a specially hired board with their son, filmed the cliff stunt and can be heard shouting "Oh my God!" before her husband, former professional footballer Mourad Lamrabatte, hits the water.
The Dutch tourist's body clipped the rocks before hitting the water below. Horrifyingly, it appears the 31-year-old knew he was not going to make the water without colliding with the rocks and he can be heard letting out a scream in the grim footage.
His body had to be recovered with the help of a rescue boat, helicopter and diving team.
Mourad played for Dutch team SBV Vitesse and a club spokesman said: "Vitesse wishes Mourad’s family and friends a lot of strength in coping with their great loss."
Boy, 3, dies after being left in sweltering car in 34C heat 'throughout the day'
They added: "The former Jong Vitesse striker had just turned 31. He wore the club colours during the 2010/2011 season, when he was part of the U23 team which won the U23 cup that season.
"In July 2010 he scored in a first team exhibition game."
An autopsy on his body concluded he died from drowning, rather than the impact with the rocks.