Calif. teen survives plunge off Golden Gate Bridge

AP/WorldMag ^ | Mar 10, 11:13 PM EST

[quantim]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A California high school student visiting the Golden Gate Bridge on a Thursday morning field trip climbed over a railing, jumped - possibly on a dare by fellow classmates - and somehow survived the 220-foot plunge into San Francisco Bay that kills dozens of people each year.

Most jumpers die a grisly death, with massive internal injuries, broken bones and skull fractures. Some die from internal bleeding, while others drown.

But the 17-year-old lived, suffering just a broken tailbone and torn lung. He was rescued by a surfer who paddled over and took him ashore, California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Rardin said.

[Tea Party Reveler]

All of the Bay Area bridges seem to attract a lot of goodbye cruel world jumpers each year. It’s like the lemmings of the sea out here.

[Paleo Conservative]

A broken tail bone?

[Onelifetogive]

just a broken tailbone and torn lung

It's not everyday that you hear this line...

[howlinhound]

“A broken tail bone?”

They leave more than their heart in San Francisco.

[Minn]

A broken tail bone?

He did a can opener.

[Celtic Cross]

Praise be, I’m not sure he deserved to survive.

[JRios1968]

A broken tail bone?

CAUTION: Jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge can be a real pain in the ass.

[Frantzie]

I have driven across it probably a dozen times and it scares the **** out of me. I see people walking across or riding their bike and I think they are insane.

Somebody was watching over this dopey kid. He has no idea how lucky he is and how lucky the surfer was there to save him.

[Paleo Conservative]

Here’s a link to another article with a video.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=8006670

[GOYAKLA]

Diver’s Coccyx pierces his lung?
That would be an eye opening headline!

[Paleo Conservative]

Are you sure that didn’t happen elsewhere in SF?

[battousai]

Well this case seems like a stupid dare than suicide, but its a problem for high bridges everywhere, they put up neting of sorts for this very reason along the Bloor St bridge here in Toronto, seems this is what they are going to do for the Golden gate bridge too, or something similar:

[OCC]

possibly on a dare by fellow classmates - and somehow survived the 220-foot plunge into San Francisco Bay

Possibly won the dare, in your face fellow classmates!

[=8 mrrabbit 8=]

Already being discussed just a dozen links down...

=8-)

[NautiNurse]

Tampa Bay's Sunshine Skyway Bridge jumper pool. The website has been around for years.

[Deaf Smith]

*He did a can opener.*

Bad entry after a full gainer.

[quantim]

[Ditto]

Kids do the damndest things.

Here's a bridge that is 50 feet less in height, that will take him out of the gene poll before he procreates,

Guaranteed to be a Darwin Award Winner.

I used to be afraid to drive across this sucker. ;~))

It is a beautiful structure however,

[NautiNurse]

Howdy! Good to see you this fine evening!