THE mother of a 10-year-old boy who was injured after 'tombstoning' said he is lucky to have not broken his neck.

Barry Coastguards were called out to Fontygary Beach in Rhoose on July 7 to reports of a casualty.

The 10-year-old, broke his femur after falling from the rocks and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales by air ambulance.

The mother of the boy, who wishes for herself and her son to remain anonymous, has warned children and young people to be aware of the risk of tombstoning and said that her son was very lucky to only break his leg.

She said: “My son was cliff jumping last Saturday with friends when he hit a rock at the bottom and his friends had to pull him out and go and get help.

“He got airlifted to hospital and he had broken his femur and has had a metal rod put in. He’s very very lucky it wasn’t his back or neck.

“We are still at hospital as he’s now got an infection. I warned him about the danger and asked him not to do it but boys being boys he did.

"However, I do know he and his friends will never do it again.”

A spokesman for the RNLI said: “We always urge people to have fun but stay safe when out enjoying our beautiful beaches and coastlines. Jumping from piers, cliffs, rocks or other structures into the sea can be very dangerous.

“The depth of the water can dramatically change with the tide, and what was a deep pool at lunchtime might be a shallow puddle by teatime.

“You don’t know what hazards may be lurking under the surface until you are hurt or worse. The shock of cold water may make it difficult to swim to safety and strong currents can quickly sweep people away."