Eastbourne Pier Incident: Jumper Pulled from Water with Suspected Spinal Injury

A person was taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries after jumping from Eastbourne Pier on Sunday evening (27 July).

Eastbourne RNLI’s D-Class Inshore Lifeboat launched at 8:12pm following reports of someone jumping into the sea from the iconic seafront structure. Within two minutes of launching, lifeboat crew located the casualty in shallow water beneath the pier, where bystanders were holding them afloat.

RNLI crew carried out an initial assessment before Coastguard Rescue Officers and ambulance teams arrived to assist. Emergency crews worked together to stabilise the individual before transporting them to hospital by ambulance for further treatment.

A spokesperson for Eastbourne RNLI said:

“Jumping from piers might seem like harmless fun — but it can have life-changing or even fatal consequences. Underwater hazards, unpredictable depths, strong currents and cold water shock can all turn a split-second decision into tragedy.”

The RNLI is urging people to avoid tombstoning — the dangerous trend of jumping from piers, sea walls, or groynes — especially during the summer holidays when such incidents rise.

In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.