Teen Injured Cliff Jumping

A teenager was injured Sunday while cliff jumping along Sunset Cliffs according to officials.

San Diego lifeguards told NBC 7 a 16-year-old was injured after his friend landed on top of him near Sunset Cliffs and Osprey Street.

A witness who called 911 around 4 p.m. Sunday said he saw the victim bleeding from his mouth.

Shane Thompson admitted it’s not legal but said he’s been jumping from the cliffs his whole life.

“They were pretty new,” Thompson said. They’re young so they probably didn’t know much.”

Lifeguards said the teenager was having difficulty breathing. They secured the patient so he couldn't move and called in for a fire helicopter to perform a hoist rescue.

The teenager, who was airlifted to a hospital, may have suffered internal injuries according to lifeguards.

The practice of jumping off the cliffs in that area has been an ongoing problem despite the fact that it’s illegal officials said.

“You don’t want to be jumping off the cliffs, you don’t want to be doing that type of activity around here,” said Lt. Greg Buchanan.

Since there are no lifeguards, anything that happens in that area will be a 911 call and a delayed response Buchanan said.

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