Man dies trying to leap 30ft across harbour in his Rover hatchback in 'Starsky and Hutch'-style stunt



Daredevil: Jamie Hocking was killed as he tried to jump 30ft across a harbour in his car

A 20-year-old was killed in a ‘Starsky and Hutch’-style stunt trying to jump 30ft across a harbour in his car.

Jamie Hocking had told friends he would one day use a pier as a ramp and leap over the water in his Rover hatchback and land on the other side.

But when he came to carry out the dare at the quayside in Porthleven, Cornwall, his car toppled straight over the edge and plunged into the sea.

Eyewitness Helen Sankey told an inquest that Mr Hocking - who was over twice the drink-drive limit - had tried to jump the gap by accelerating ‘violently’.

She said: ‘I could see a car going forwards and backwards into a chain preventing access to the harbourside.

'I ran back into the pub to get help before returning to the scene. The car was accelerating violently.



'It made a final run at the chain and this time made it through.’



Mr Hocking, described as a ‘happy-go-lucky’ farm worker of Helston, Cornwall, died on December 18 last year after a Christmas party with friends.



He had drunk about ten pints of lager and cider.

Stunt: The harbour at Porthleven in Cornwall showing the gap Mr Hocking attempted to leap in his Rover hatchback - but it toppled straight over the edge



Close-up: The precise gap that the 20-year-old tried to jump

The inquest in Truro heard Mr Hocking regularly told his friends he would take on the stunt and jump 30ft across the harbour.

But police later said it would have been ‘impossible’ for him to have successfully completed the stunt.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, coastguards, two RNLI lifeboats, police and ambulance crews were called when the car plunged into the water.

A search and rescue helicopter was also scrambled and divers were able to attach a winch to the rear axle and tow the car out.

Forensic officers later said tyre marks on the quay indicated the car had hit a bollard before it plunged into the water.



Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded an open verdict and drowning as the cause of death.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Hocking’s family thanked those who had tried to rescue him and said he was dearly missed.

A statement said: ‘Jamie was tragically taken from his family and many friends.

‘He was a loveable rogue and will be truly missed by all who knew him.’

