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March 13, 2011

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Teenager survives Golden Gate leap

A California high school student visiting the Golden Gate Bridge on a Thursday morning field trip climbed over a railing, jumped - possibly on a dare by classmates - and somehow survived the 67-meter plunge into San Francisco Bay that kills dozens of people each year.

Most jumpers die with massive internal injuries, broken bones and skull fractures. Some die from internal bleeding, while others drown.

But the 17-year-old lived, and his school said he suffered no injuries beyond bruising. He was rescued by a surfer who paddled over and took him ashore, California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Rardin said.

"It's a miracle," Rardin said. "The majority of folks do not survive this type of fall."

Windsor Unified School District Superintendent Bill McDermott said he didn't think the teen was trying to commit suicide, but instead jumped after other students from Windsor High School in Sonoma County urged him on.

Someone leaps off the iconic bridge an average of once every two weeks.

 

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