Man Falls to His Death While Preoccupied By Electronic Device

By Rachel Vorona Cote  |  December 28, 2015 | 6:45pm
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Today, in the very worst of cautionary tales: a 33-year-old man fell to his death from a San Diego cliff while preoccupied by an electronic device.

According to Time, Joshua M. Burwell plunged “60 feet to his death from California’s popular Sunset Cliffs at about 5 p.m. on Friday [December 25].” Fox 5 reports that “he appeared to be staring into either a cell phone or camera while walking around before the fatal fall.”

Several bystanders witnessed the fall, and three immediately climbed to Burwell’s rescue. They administered CPR, but unfortunately he died at the scene.

His mother, Sharyle Burwell, tells NBC 7 “that he died while taking pictures.” He also leaves behind a son.

San Diego Lifeguard Bill Bender emphasizes that accidents like this are—as these tragic circumstances demonstrate—all too feasible. “Just like driving and using a cell phone, you don’t want to be walking and using a cell phone or be distracted or anything,” he warns.

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Image via Shutterstock.

 
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