approach'' to water safety following a weekend incident in which a teenager knocked himself unconscious after jumping off Somerset Bridge.

And concerned residents voiced their concern about the fact that youngsters "are just doing these things as dares''.

Eighteen-year-old Sinclair Vickers was released from hospital yesterday after being treated for a severe laceration to his forehead, cuts and abrasions and a broken wrist.

The Southampton youth had to be pulled from the water by friends and onlookers on Sunday afternoon after he hit his head on the dock and rolled overboard.

Yesterday, a concerned boat owner described to The Royal Gazette a "near miss'' incident in which another boy, this one in his early teens, narrowly missed serious injury after jumping from Somerset Bridge.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "I was just going slowly underneath the bridge in my boat when suddenly I saw a blur in front of me and then a great splash.'' The boat owner said the boy was "visibly shaken'' by the incident, which he added "could have ended in disaster''.

Somerset Bridge Water Sports manager Tony Roache said: "Jumping off that bridge is dangerous and it's strictly illegal.'' He said kids should stick to jumping off the dock "because at least it's safer there''.

Acting Public Safety Ministry Permanent Secretary Martin Law told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "This incident serves as an unfortunate reminder that so called fun activities can be dangerous.'' He added: "Police are looking into the question of putting up a warning sign at Somerset Bridge and other places in an effort to deter those who might do it.'' But Mr. Law stressed Government could only take so much responsibility for public safety.

"Once people are properly informed, it's up to the parents to make sure that a true common sense approach is applied.'' He drew parallels between this incident and incidents in which young people took the risk of swimming in stormy seas.

"All of these situations carry some potential danger and as a result there is some personal responsibility involved.'' Chief Inspector Phil Every said similar activities happened off Flatt's Bridge and denounced them as "dangerous practises''.

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