“RECKLESS” revellers cooling off in the summer heat risk paralysis or even death by jumping off Oxford’s bridges, authorities warn.

The Oxford Mail has snapped people leaping from Wolvercote and Port Meadow bridges into the waters below.

Last summer 15-year-old Hussain Mohammed died after jumping from Donnington Bridge.

The teenager drowned in the Thames in a heatwave on May 25.

As schools get ready to break up this week the emergency services have united in calls to prevent another tragedy.

Alcohol often plays a part, said Aubrey Bell, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust area manager for Oxfordshire.

Mr Bell said: “Jumping off bridges is extremely dangerous.

“The likelihood of you landing on something like a shopping trolley or broken glass is very high.

“People can get into trouble very quickly, especially if they have been drinking. Alcohol, heat and rivers are a very bad combination.”

Forecasters predict temperatures to reach 30C in Oxford today, with temperatures in the high 20s going into next week.

Oxford canal supervisor Nigel Powell said: “The big danger is you simply don’t know what is in there – shopping trolleys, rusty cans and dumped rubbish – anything.

“Even if you only manage to cut yourself you can get infected and stand a good chance of contracting leptospiros, which is infection by rat urine. It’s pretty nasty and can get in cuts and even your eyes.

“You’ll start off with flu symptoms and it can get worse from there.”

City councillor for Iffley Fields Dave Williams said he saw “reckless” divers jump off Donnington Bridge at the weekend.

He said: “It’s dangerous and foolhardy. Will it take another death before the council acts?

“There was one tragic death there last summer and one in the 1960s not long after the bridge opened.

“I was there on Sunday with my son and couldn’t believe what I saw.”

Local Area Commander for Oxford Supt Christian Bunt warned that bridge jumping can have tragic consequences.

He said: “During the hot weather we naturally see an increase in people using rivers for recreation. “I would like to remind people about the dangers of jumping from bridges into the Thames.”

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said they had no plans to increase patrols at bridges.

The Environment Agency (EA) has also warned parents not to let children enter rivers alone.

EA recreation manager Russell Robson said: “We often see youngsters jumping off bridges and, while this can be great fun, there are hidden dangers that could cause them to get into difficulties.”

City councillor for community safety Pat Kennedy added: “We want people to have fun in the sun but they need to heed warnings.”

Oxford City Council said life belt locations were installed at regular intervals along the water and it increased inspections in summer.

To report a missing life-belt call 01865 249811.

The hidden dangers

  • Leptospirosis or Weil's disease – a bacterial infection spread by animal urine. Can induce organ failure and be fatal.
  • Cryptosporidiosis – A condition caused by a parasite from dead animals which targets the small intestine. It is most common in children aged from one to five. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash and dehydration.
  • Algae – The green-blue bacteria called cyanobacteria covers slow-moving waters. It can cause itching, rashes, allergic reactions and even difficulty breathing.
  • E.coli – The bacteria usually associated with food poisoning can also be contracted in streams or rivers where sewage has been present.