Man’s Signal Hill plunge raises alarms about late-night party bus runs

By Sue Bailey, The Canadian Press

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A young man’s 100-metre plunge off Signal Hill in St. John’s is raising questions about late-night party bus tours to the national historic site.

St. John’s Regional Fire Department deputy chief Don Byrne says Parks Canada should consider restricting visits that mix booze with steep cliffs.

“It’s obviously hazardous,” he said Thursday in an interview.

Firefighters spent hours early Sunday locating then hoisting the 19-year-old man to a waiting ambulance.

Police say he had been celebrating Saturday night on a party bus-style vehicle with friends but somehow went over a low cement wall and down a rocky embankment toward the water far below.

His frantic companions called for help just before midnight. The man is now recovering in hospital, and rescuers say he’s lucky to be alive.

“Look, any time you throw alcohol into the mix, in particular late at night, in the darkness … their judgment is going to err somewhere,” Byrne said of party bus groups that regularly head to Signal Hill’s famous sea and city views.

“If that judgment errs to the point that we have to get called out, well, that’s what we’re here for, yes. But it’s sad when it does happen and it doesn’t need to happen.”

Byrne said it’s time to consider stopping those wee-hour excursions that typically include at least a dozen people who’ve been partying for hours.

“I don’t know if Parks Canada or whoever could do that themselves but it probably would be a good decision.”

No one from the department was immediately available to comment.

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Const. Geoff Higdon said restrictions would be tricky as Signal Hill is a public place already marked with warning signs.

“This isn’t a common occurrence. This was a bit of a weird one, really,” he said of the fall.

“I think it was very much kind of a fluke accident.”

Higdon stressed the onus is on adults to be responsible.

“I agree that there’s dangers in that area,” he said in an interview. “I guess it’s one of those areas where it’s somewhat of a ‘User Beware’.”

One limousine driver who was not authorized to speak publicly said Signal Hill is no place to have “liquored-up” people wandering around.

He believes limousines, party buses and tour coaches should be banned.

“There’s no room to turn around. I don’t bring limos up there any more.”

He also cited what he said is a murky area around how limousines and party buses are licensed and regulated in the province.

“We’re running with taxi and bus plates.”

Signal Hill is not the place to party, he said. “It’s a historic tourist site, it’s not a piss pad.

“Someone’s going to die one of these days.”

Follow @suebailey on Twitter.

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