May Day passes without injury
Thousands braved the drizzle on Monday morning to join in the May Day festivities, although the traditional leap from Magdalen Bridge was made by just a handful of students, and without serious injury. Five students jumped from the bridge into the Cherwell River, which in places is only 2ft deep. Four were from Oxford Brookes, while another was a student from Gloucestershire. The jumps were made following the opening of the Bridge at 7am.
None of the jumpers were injured, although one of them pretended to have hurt his leg. One jumper, Fyn Guy, 19, was visiting friends in Oxford on May Day. He said he was worried but “had to jump”, and did so dressed in formalware, bowing as he climbed out of the river. Barriers were set up at 3am and a line of 60 police and private guards on either side of the bridge prevented students from jumping into the river during the celebrations.
The road was actually opened two hours before it was scheduled to do so, after crowds dispersed quickly and relocated into the city centre. Authorities involved were satisfied with the result of the operation, despite the five jumpers. A spokesperson for Oxford City Council said, “It all went extremely well.” Detective Inspector Steph Cook from Thames Valley Police said, “We can’t police the bridge 24 hours of the day.
Obviously, our main priority is whilst the actual event is happening and we have to safeguard the majority.” “All the people who jumped did so after everything had finished. Very few people jumped compared to last year and nobody was injured.” James Tanner, a Merton first-year student who was present at the event said, “The singing was very nice although I was really there to see people jump, so I’m quite disappointed.
Robert Hamilton, a second-year student at Wadham College, regrets that he was unable to jump. “I’m disappointed,’’ he said. “I’d have loved to have done it some time in my Oxford career.” Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and the city and county councils made the decision to close the bridge for the first time since 2001, after the events of last year, when more than 40 jumpers were injured and 12 students were hospitalised.
Mark Blandford-Baker, Home Bursar of Magdalen College, was glad that the traditional ceremony was not once again overshadowed by injuried. He said, “The May Morning celebrations offer a wonderful opportunity for town, gown and visitors to enjoy a great Oxford tradition. Despite what some people think, the practice of bridge jumping is not a part of this tradition.” The May Morning working group have said it is likely that they will take similar preventative action next year.
A spokesman for the University said, “I am sure that the group will be reviewing this year’s event to assess the impact of the bridge closure.
4th May 2006