Three daredevils sustained spinal injuries after jumping off the rocks in Cominotto over the weekend, according to rescue volunteers.
The jumpers were transferred to Gozo General Hospital for treatment. The incident report, drawn up by the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps (ERRC), a voluntary rescue organisation, is a case of déjà vu from 2013.
Almost to the day, last year, another three people were hospitalised after sustaining spinal injuries in similar circumstances.
Times of Malta witnessed jumpers over the weekend, plunging into the blue Comino sea close to boats that were berthed in the area.
We have had more cases of tired swimmers this year since many attempting to walk the short distance between Comino and Cominotto are dragged away from the shallow parts by sea currents
But, although the scene suggested there would be another summer of accidents related to this practice, Mario Saliba, administrator of the voluntary lifeguards, said the number of people jumping from high rocks in Comino had dropped drastically.
“Warning signs erected after last year’s craze have had an impact but you still get some who ignore them or choose to jump from alternative spots around Comino,” Mr Saliba said.
He added that it was impossible to place warning signs everywhere on the popular island.
Two of the injured jumpers over the weekend leapt off the rocks from areas previously not used for the purpose.
A woman was injured after jumping off a small rocky outcrop between Comino and Cominotto, known as Il-Gwardja (the Guard) and a Maltese man hurt himself after plunging from the steep rocks alongside the left side of the Blue Lagoon.
The third case involved a man who jumped from Cominotto.
Mr Saliba also attributed the drop in jumpers to a decision by the Malta Tourism Authority and Transport Malta to close off Cominotto for boats.
This prevented pleasure craft from disembarking people straight onto the islet, which was a popular jumping spot last year.
Mr Saliba’s observation confirmed a report in The Sunday Times of Malta last month that daredevil jumpers were not as prevalent as last year.
However, closing Cominotto off to sea craft has caused a different form of danger as people with personal belongings and cooler bags choose to cross over from Comino via a narrow, submerged passageway.
“We have had more cases of tired swimmers this year since many attempting to walk the short distance between Comino and Cominotto are dragged away from the shallow parts by sea currents,” Mr Saliba said.
He said lifeguards advised swimmers about the dangers of crossing over to Cominotto.
“We cannot stop anyone. We warn them of the dangers but some simply ignore our advice.”
ERRC lifeguards are equipped with a hydro ambulance, which is used to transfer people to Mġarr in Gozo if hospital treatment is required.
The lifeguard group reported that, on Sunday, a paddle boat was unable to return to shore because of strong currents at Ramla Bay in Gozo.
A rescue vessel was deployed and the paddle boat was towed back to the beach.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com