At least four people, including a father, have died in recent months from indulging in a deadly new TikTok trend, Alabama authorities said.
Thrill-seekers would jump or take off from the backs of speeding boats, only to break their necks in the wake and drown, according to Cpt. Jim Dennis of the Childersburg Rescue Squad.
“In the last six months we have had four drownings that were easily avoidable. They were doing a TikTok challenge. It’s where you get into a boat that’s going at high speed, you jump off the side of the boat, you don’t dive in, you jump in feet first and get a little closer to the water,” Dennis. he told WBMA.
The trend: called jumping ship — has been a problem for lifeguards for the past two years, the captain said, but has picked up especially since the beginning of the year.
The first victim died in February after plunging into the Coosa River while his wife and children watched from inside the boat.
“Unfortunately, she recorded his death,” Dennis said.
Despite the tragic end, three others ignored the warnings of lifeguards and succumbed to the same fate.
A TikTok search for “#boatjumping” or any iteration of the two words shows a stream of daredevils filming their would-be brushes with what Dennis called “instant death.”
Participants are of all ages.
“I think people, if they’re being filmed on camera, I think they’re more likely to do something stupid because they want to show off in front of their friends on social media,” Dennis. he told ABC 7.
The high speed of the craft combined with the calm water makes for a dangerous airstrip that feels similar to concrete.
If a person jumping from a moving ship does not protect their neck and head, they could be permanently paralyzed if not likely to suffer instant death.
Dennis urges boaters to avoid the deadly trend and urge their loved ones not to participate.
“Don’t,” he said. “Your life is not worth it.”
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