Thousands pack Magdalen Bridge
This year's May Day morning celebrations, held as always on Magdalen Bridge, have been hailed by Thames Valley Police as entirely successful.
With more than 8,500 people packed onto the bridge between the barriers, and a further 3,500 late-comers crammed up against the blockades, some may have justly heralded the event as "bigger than ever."
Despite the numerous safety measures taken by local authorities, the number of jumpers increased five-fold from last year's four, with a total of 20 revellers taking the plunge.
Thames Valley Police, in an attempt to prevent injuries, had previously advised students not to jump from the bridge. They warned of fast-flowing water and underwater debris. Thames Valley's Press Officer told The OxStu, "Officers and stewards did pull down around a dozen people."
One first year student made a slightly unorthodox jump: he took the leap off Magdalen College itself, "wearing little more than a silly hat". He told The OxStu: "The warnings against jumping had somewhat spurred me on, combined with many alcoholic parties through the night and early morning. When it came to the act, the security could have been a lot better."
Thames Valley replied, "I think it is highly unlikely that extra warnings and security led to an increase of jumping from the bridge - unless you are suggesting that the jumpers were extremely stupid."
Whilst rumours that shopping trolleys had been deliberately dumped near the bridge area into the Cherwell on the night prior to the festivities circulated, they appear to have been groundless. Inspector Stuart Craik told a regional news programme that although "no one was injured," one unlucky leaper landed on concrete - only escaping agony as a result of extreme alcohol consumption. He was treated by ambulance staff and was not badly injured.
Despite the "huge volume of people", only two arrests were made. They came after a woman was assaulted by two teenage girls, suffering a gash to the head. The girls were taken for questionning at St Aldate's Police Station.
With the bridge falling in the city's alcohol-free zone, the police set up an 'alcohol amnesty', in which anyone could hand over beverages without facing prosecution.
Inspector Craik said: "The alcohol amnesty worked very well and people were generally happy to leave their drinks behind the barrier. The few that...did manage to sneak some bottles in gave them up when told."
A police spokesperson stated that "The vast majority of students were already drunk when they arrived."
However, this might be disputed by the many who managed to keep a firm grip upon their bottles.Tom Brooker, a first year English student, told The OxStu, "I was drinking lager out of a can. No one approached me. I had no trouble at all." Until informed otherwise Brooker believed the police had adopted a "chilled-out attitude". He added, "The choir was shite. Go on the Morris dancers."
6th May 2004