Teenager who survived jump off Golden Gate Bridge may have leaped on a dare, authorities say
A high school student on a field trip to the Golden Gate Bridge who survived a leap Thursday from the famed San Francisco span may have jumped on a dare, authorities said.
The unidentified, 16-year-old 11th-grader from Windsor High School in Sonoma County was rescued by a surfer after the 11:15 a.m. incident and was able to climb ashore on his own, authorities said. Suffering bruises, he was taken to a San Francisco hospital.
Windsor Unified School District Supt. Bill McDermott said the boy was with about 45 other students and two teachers on a humanities class field trip. He told reporters that he did not believe the teen was trying to commit suicide and that officials were investigating whether he had been dared by classmates to jump.
The fall from the bridge between its south tower and Fort Point where the boy jumped was about 220 feet.
Last year, 32 people died after plunging from the bridge; all of those deaths were considered suicides by officials.
-- Bob Pool
EDITOR'S PICKS:
how do we know those listed suicides weren't also dares?
we've been oversimplifying
now, news staff, here is what I want to know: what is the impact of jumping 220 feet to water?
for the answer call cal tech's basketball squad
and how -- doctors -- did this kid survive?
Posted by: thom | March 10, 2011 at 07:12 PM
That's insane! That's a 220' jump. A dare? Somebody better get their brain tested...him and the kids that dared him.
Brian Schamp @BrianSchamp
Posted by: Brian Schamp | March 10, 2011 at 07:13 PM
His parents are proud. A true triple Lindy with a salute to his bus driver! The video shows his skills! YEEHAW!!!
Posted by: Dudebro | March 10, 2011 at 07:24 PM
And my mother used to say, "I suppose if they told you to jump off a bridge you'd do that too."
Posted by: Lamb Cannon | March 10, 2011 at 07:44 PM
I am sure the parents will sue the School District!
Posted by: NorthernCA Teacher | March 10, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Wow! Surviving a jump off the Golden Gate. It's something he can tell his grandkids about.
I don't think they'll believe him.
Posted by: Jim S. | March 10, 2011 at 08:04 PM
if he only knew how rare surviving that fall is, and without injury? wow.
Posted by: boil | March 10, 2011 at 08:05 PM
Not too bright.
Posted by: john | March 10, 2011 at 09:42 PM
He broke his tailbone and ripped a lung. He's a friend of a friend. Was not a dare or suicide, he calls bridge jumping his hobby and thought it wasn't too far.
Posted by: Beth Winters | March 10, 2011 at 09:45 PM
So i go to windsor and his name is Otto, and he is new... it was a dare. and he did it to show off... he knew he wasnt going to die. he is just really dumb haha... he just wanted to make a name for himself! too bad now he has to face criminal charges and a fine!! bahahaha poor otto
Posted by: WIndsor kid | March 10, 2011 at 10:54 PM
That's exactly why the military LOVES teenaged boys!
Posted by: Chris Alexander | March 11, 2011 at 12:14 AM
It's not like I would want to be him as he jumped. But let's face it, he certainly has some bragging rights in his school right now.
Will make for some interesting cocktail party chatter in the future. "So, what's the most interesting thing you've ever done?" "Well, there's the time I jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge."
Posted by: James | March 11, 2011 at 06:08 AM