A shocking video has emerged of a 28-year-old cliff jumper’s fatal leap off the notorious Spitting Cave cliffs in Hawaii.
The incident occurred on Saturday, leaving bystanders in a state of panic.
The Fateful Jump
Santiago Bourdieu, a rugby player and fitness instructor from Argentina, took a running start before jumping off the 15-meter cliff.
However, he failed to resurface after hitting the water, prompting a friend to jump in and search for him. The incident was captured on a mobile phone and shared on Instagram.
A Desperate Search and Rescue Effort
Lifeguards from the Honolulu Department of Ocean Safety were quick to respond, climbing down the rocks to search for Bourdieu.
After a 15-minute search, they found him in the choppy waves and performed CPR. Although he initially responded to treatment, Bourdieu tragically died later at the hospital.
The Deadly Spitting Cave Cliffs
Perched near Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the Spitting Cave cliffs are a popular tourist attraction. However, they are also notorious for being one of the most deadly spots in Hawaii.
The name “Spitting Cave” comes from the violent ocean waves constantly battering the stone, making it seem like the cave is “spitting out” water.
In the past five years, authorities have responded to 52 calls of cliff jumping injuries, drownings, or near-drownings.
A Warning to Tourists
Ocean Safety officials have repeatedly warned tourists not to jump at Spitting Cave, posting warning signs and cautioning against the dangers of the spot.
“Just because you can swim in a pool or lake doesn’t mean you’re qualified to jump off a cliff like this,” said Brian Lauro, a sea-loving former resident.
“The conditions here are unique, and even locals can get into trouble if they’re not careful.”
The Risks of Cliff Jumping
Lauro emphasized the risks of cliff jumping, particularly when the shelf is wet or foamy. “If that shelf is wet, you can be dragged right off and scraped into the water, unable to get back out,” he warned.
“And if it’s foamy, foam has a negative buoyancy, making it like liquid quicksand.”