Newport Man Injured Sunday On Rocks At Twelve O'Clock High

NEWPORT, RI — A 30-year old Newport man was injured Sunday evening when he fell from the rocks at Twelve O'Clock High. He suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital and was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. His condition as of Monday morning is not known. His name is not being released.

According to the police report, he was with a group of friends diving off the rocks. On the climb back up, he lost his grip, fell about 25 feet and landed on flat rocks. He appeared to be unconscious. But before his friends could retrieve him, a wave swept him into the water. People pulled him back up on the rocks and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the Coast Guard and Newport Fire Department arrived.

Police moved the crowd of onlookers back off the rocks and away from the cliff. Medics stabilized him on a back board and carried him up the rocks to the rescue.

Initially, rescue workers intended to call for a medical helicopter to take him to an emergency room, but it was decided the helicopter was not necessary. The accident happened shortly before 7 p.m.

Twelve O'Clock High is one of the area's popular but dangerous cliff-diving spots. It's located across from Brenton Park.