'Selfish and foolhardy': Watch as man rides BMX off Walsall swimming pool diving board
A foolhardy daredevil took BMX riding to new heights – jumping off the top diving board at a Black Country swimming pool.
Ryan Taylor twice filmed himself running into the pool area of Walsall’s Gala Baths with the bike.
On the first occasion, last Tuesday, he was stopped by an off duty police officer.
But on the second, a day later, he managed to clamber to the top of the diving board before riding off the top.
As he does so, the alarm sounds and people can be seen getting out of the pool.
Later in the video he is seen successfully returning the BMX bike to Halfords in Walsall.
Last night the video had been viewed by almost 250,000 people on YouTube.
Contains strong language
Councillor Ian Shires, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture at Walsall Council, said: “The actions of this young man were foolhardy; as well as injuring himself he could easily have injured staff members or customers who had actually paid to use the baths.
“His actions were also extremely selfish as, on both occasions, customers were disrupted from their enjoyment of their swim as the pool had to be evacuated for their safety.
“Staff responded appropriately and promptly to prevent any risk to the public.”
West Midlands Police were called to the incident.
