The coastguard has issued a warning about a “dangerous” activity which has resulted in a number of fatalities over the years.

Volunteers were called after several individuals were seen ‘tombstoning’ and the alarm was raised.

Also known as cliff jumping, the activity was given its name because of the way a person plunges into deep water in a similar way to a stone.

Sheppey Coastguard was called to the River Medway on Saturday after being informed about the incident.

A spokesman for the agency said: “One of the two callouts we had on Saturday was to people jumping off of Rochester Bridge.

“Unfortunately over recent years, tombstoning has gained attention for the wrong reasons.

“This is so dangerous as you do not know what is below the surface or how strong the current is.

“On the surface it can look calm but under the water, the current can be moving fast – there is also cold water shock too.

“Every year people are seriously hurt or killed in the UK by tombstoning. Luckily this time no one was hurt.”

The latest figures, which were released by the Local Government Association from between 2004 and 2019, found the Coastguard had dealt with more than 200 incidents of tombstoning, including 70 injuries and 20 deaths.

The Sheppey Coastguards is made up of 12 volunteers and celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.

Last week alone they were called out to incidents six times.