Australian police are blaming an internet photo craze for the death of Acton Beale (20) on the weekend and are warning other fans of the dangers surrounding “planking.”
“This morning we have seen a young man take this activity a step
further and attempt to plank on a balcony,” Deputy Commissioner Ross
Barnett of the Queensland Police said Sunday.
“Unfortunately he has
tragically fallen to his death. Police fear that as planking gains
popularity there may be more injuries and potentially further deaths.”
The danger, according to police, is followers of the trend are
trying to “outdo” each other by taking bigger risks on where they try
to “plank.”
“The potential disaster increases as more and more risks are
taken to get the ultimate photo,” a statement issued by the Queensland
police said.
Last week, a man was arrested after planking on top of a Queensland police car and charged with trespassing on police property.
Police
warned others would be charged “if they attempt the activity in areas
that constitute trespass or in dangerous locations.”
The activity has exploded in popularity in Australia as more people post photos of themselves “planking” – lying prone in various odd or humorous locations – on various social media sites.
A “Planking Australia” Facebook page has attracted nearly 90,000 “likes” and has inspired similar pages such as “Planking Ireland” and “Planking Norway.”
The past-time has caused controversy in England before: in 2009 seven emergency medics were suspended from workafter posting photos of themselves lying face down on resuscitation trolleys, ward floors and an air ambulance helipad.
The trend has spawned instructional videos on YouTube and has even spread to Australia’s rugby league field, where cult figure David “Wolfman” Williams appeared to “plank” after scoring a try during a game in March.
