RCMP say a video appearing to show a New Year’s reveller swinging off a Vancouver Island train trestle is concerning, but may not prompt a criminal investigation.
The video, titled “New Years 2016 Trestle Bridge Swing – Vancouver Island” was posted to YouTube on Jan. 3.
It shows a man harnessed to several ropes performing a forward-moving backflip, also known as a gainer, off the trestle while others film the stunt.
In one still image, a man is seeing holding a half-empty bottle of tequila.
“This New Years a few close friends and I came together, conjured up a special kind of motivation and decided to jump off a bridge to start our new year,” the video description states.
“Whether it be coming from out of town, having been dancing until 5am, or simply being tired - our early morning setup proved to be super worth it once the smiles and hollers started rolling.”
The stunt appears to take place at the train trestle in Goldstream Provincial Park, a location RCMP say they’re often called to for similar incidents.
“We have some concerns when things like that are posted to YouTube,” said Const. Cole Brower of Westshore RCMP. “The last thing we want is to see anyone hurt or injured in the parks.”
He said police are forwarding the video to BC Parks, which has jurisdiction over the park the video is believed to have been filmed in.
The video, which was posted by an account with the name Randy Smith, includes a disclaimer that the rope swing “was set up by expert knowledgeable and experienced technicians” and urges people not to attempt it themselves.
A video posted by the same account two years ago appears to show a group performing another rope swing off the trestle on Christmas Day, this one from the point of view of the jumper.
