Revellers turned May Morning celebrations in Oxford into a chaotic scene after more than 100 ignored warnings on the dangers of jumping from Magdalen Bridge.

More than 40 were injured, 10 were taken to hospital and one suffered serious spinal injuries and paramedics feared that person may be paralysed.

Thames Valley Police said they would have to consider closing the bridge next year because so many people ignored safety warnings.

The traditional dawn celebrations were marred when revellers scaled 6ft-high metal fences to leap from the balustrades into the shallow River Cherwell.

While others swigged champagne, bridge jumpers lay bleeding on the pavement, waiting to be treated by ambulance crews, who took 10 people to the John Radcliffe Hospital suffering serious injuries including broken legs, chest and neck injuries and deep cuts.

Insp Justin Archer, of Oxford police, said: "All the agencies went to great lengths to stress how dangerous it is to jump from the bridge, because of the shallowness of the water.

"People who jumped can only be described as irresponsible because they have endangered themselves and those who had to rescue them and have taken up valuable resources in terms of staff.

"The only alternative I can see is for the bridge to be closed."

But some bridge-jumpers were unrepentant.

Michael Percival, 21, studying performing arts and English at Oxford Brookes University, jumped with his friend, who would only give his name as Tim.

Tim was left with suspected broken ribs after Mr Percival landed on him in the river and was taken to hospital wearing a neck brace.

Mr Percival said: "I would do it again, but Tim definitely wouldn't and I wouldn't advise anyone else to do it. It's a historic event and a tradition to jump and the barriers were quite easy to climb over."

The fences were clearly marked with signs warning of the shallow water -- just 18in deep in places -- but stewards working for the city council were unable to prevent people scaling them.

Many had already jumped by the time the choir from Magdalen College School and the Gentlemen of Magdalen College Chapel Choir began singing from the top of Magdalen Tower at 6am.