Teens warned against dangerous Schoolies stunt after photo of a man teetering on the edge of a Gold Coast high-rise emerged
A photo of a man standing just inches from the edge of a Gold Coast apartment block has prompted an urgent warning against ‘balcony hopping’ during Schoolies celebrations.
It is understood the young man was caught walking barefoot along the edge while several floors above the ground of the Surfers Plaza Resort.
As the final week of end-of-school celebrations draws to a close in Queensland, police are urging young people not to walk on the outer barriers of balconies, especially if alcohol is involved.
‘Look, there are barriers on balconies for a reason. It is to keep you safe,” Queensland Police Commissioner Peter Miles told reporters on Monday.
He said balcony hopping can be especially dangerous if someone is drunk.
“If you have alcohol or drugs on board, you’re really playing with fire and it ends tragically,” said Supt. Miles said.
“Not many people fall out of a seven, eight or nine story building and survive. These people’s friends say it’s not a good idea for them to wander outside on the balcony.
‘It’s a recipe for disaster. So think carefully about the actions you are going to take.’
This photo of a man ‘jumping off the balcony’ has prompted authorities to issue a warning
Schoolies’ official social media pages also warn against balcony hopping, warning that school leavers could be kicked out of their hotel or fined.
‘It is dangerous and can lead to serious injury or even death. Don’t let your partner make a deadly mistake,” the message reads.
‘Be smart. Be safe. Watch your friends.’
The safe schoolmates website warned that there will be ‘zero tolerance’ for schoolies who ‘behave irresponsibly on balconies’.
“Balconies can become especially dangerous after drinking alcohol or using drugs,” the website says.
After the first week of Schoolies, no major incidents were reported to the police.
Supt. Miles gave teenagers an ‘A+’ in its first week, with police making 93 arrests, only a third of which involved school leavers.
Paramedics treated about 350 people, with 50 taken to hospitals.