Tombstoning Incident Prompts Fresh Coastguard Safety Appeal

May 28, 2026

HM Coastguard Southend has issued an urgent safety warning after one of its busiest periods in recent years, with officers responding to dozens of incidents during the ongoing heatwave and half-term holidays.

The combination of soaring temperatures and large crowds visiting the Essex coastline has placed significant pressure on emergency services, with Southend Coastguard responding to 38 incidents in just seven days. Officers attended a further 11 incidents on Tuesday alone and were tasked again from 4.30am on Wednesday morning.

While the Coastguard said it could not provide details on every call-out, incidents over the past week included reports of missing persons, water rescues and medical emergencies along the shoreline.

The team has been working closely with Essex Police, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, RNLI Southend Lifeboat crews and neighbouring Coastguard Rescue Teams as emergency services continue to deal with the increased demand.

The warning comes after another busy bank holiday weekend, during which Southend Coastguard attended 18 incidents over the three-day period. Several incidents involved casualties being rescued from the water and emergency medical extractions in difficult conditions.

One of the most serious incidents occurred on Monday evening at Gypsy Bridge in Leigh-on-sea, where a person reportedly suffered serious injuries after “tombstoning” — the dangerous act of jumping into water from a height.

Emergency services launched a major multi-agency response to stabilise and rescue the casualty from the scene, while an air ambulance helicopter landed nearby to provide specialist medical support. Coastguard officers said they wished the injured person a full recovery.

The incident has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of tombstoning and swimming in unfamiliar waters during hot weather.

A Coastguard spokesperson said: “Activities like tombstoning may appear fun at the time, but they can go horribly wrong in seconds. People often do not know the depth of the water, what hazards may be hidden beneath the surface, or how strong currents can be.”

The Coastguard warned that water depth around Southend can change dramatically with the tide and that strong currents, particularly around Barge Pier on the Garrison, can quickly pull people underwater or sweep them out to sea.

Officials also reminded the public that cold water shock can affect even experienced swimmers, making it difficult to stay afloat or swim safely.

With the hot weather expected to continue for some time, the Coastguard said it hopes visitors enjoy the coastline safely and responsibly.

Members of the public are urged to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately if they see anyone in trouble on or near the coast.