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May Day bridge jumpers flout ban | May Day bridge jumpers flout ban |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Three people evaded a ban to fulfil the May Day tradition of jumping from Magdalen Bridge in Oxford. | Three people evaded a ban to fulfil the May Day tradition of jumping from Magdalen Bridge in Oxford. |
The celebration on 1 May is thought of by some as an ancient Spring tradition. | The celebration on 1 May is thought of by some as an ancient Spring tradition. |
But councillors and emergency services came together to outlaw the event for the second year running because they think it is too dangerous. | But councillors and emergency services came together to outlaw the event for the second year running because they think it is too dangerous. |
The jumpers leapt after barriers were removed as hundreds of revellers gathered in the streets to celebrate May morning. No arrests have been made. | The jumpers leapt after barriers were removed as hundreds of revellers gathered in the streets to celebrate May morning. No arrests have been made. |
Although some people claim the stunt has been enjoyed for hundreds of years - officials say it is a modern phenomenon. | Although some people claim the stunt has been enjoyed for hundreds of years - officials say it is a modern phenomenon. |
Councillor John Goddard, the leader of Oxford City Council, said: "I hope that the ancient tradition of not jumping off the bridge will be revived." | Councillor John Goddard, the leader of Oxford City Council, said: "I hope that the ancient tradition of not jumping off the bridge will be revived." |
Mark Blandford Baker, home bursar at Magdalen College, added: "People often say that jumping off Magdalen Bridge on May morning is a tradition. This is nonsense. | Mark Blandford Baker, home bursar at Magdalen College, added: "People often say that jumping off Magdalen Bridge on May morning is a tradition. This is nonsense. |
The bridge was closed before because of safety fears | |
"It only started happening in the 1960s or 1970s." | "It only started happening in the 1960s or 1970s." |
South Central Ambulance Service said responding to injuries people received after jumping from the bridge in 2005 put an unacceptable strain on the service. | South Central Ambulance Service said responding to injuries people received after jumping from the bridge in 2005 put an unacceptable strain on the service. |
About 40 people were hurt in 2005 after they ignored police warnings and jumped into the water, which was only about 2ft (60cm) deep. | About 40 people were hurt in 2005 after they ignored police warnings and jumped into the water, which was only about 2ft (60cm) deep. |
Ten people ended up in hospital. | Ten people ended up in hospital. |
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