Man in fatal fall appeared distracted by electronic device
SAN DIEGO » Authorities have identified a man they say plunged to his death from a San Diego cliff while using a camera or cellphone.
The county medical examiner’s office says 33-year-old Joshua Burwell of Sheridan, Indiana was visiting Southern California when he slipped and plunged 40 feet onto the rocks from a beach cliff on Christmas Day.
His mother, Sharyle Burwell, says in a Facebook post that he died while taking pictures. She says he leaves a son.
San Diego lifeguard Bill Bender says witnesses reported seeing the man looking at an electronic device before he fell.
However, the device hasn’t been located.
The medical examiner’s office says bystanders climbed down the cliff to perform CPR on Burwell but he died at the scene.
15 responses to “Man in fatal fall appeared distracted by electronic device”
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Sadly could have been avoided. Inattention caused his downfall. No pun intended.
So people walk right out into traffic while talking on their cellphones.
Just…Ain’t the truth hurtful?
Life imitating urban myth. Heard of the woman who went over a cliff in her car. When they pulled the car up, the woman was dead, but still holding her cellphone.
No phone was found….anyone consider murder?
He was looking for the anti-gravity apps?
Next time click on the nine lives app?
In heaven, they only have the app about angels.
Sad, but true. This ain’t gonna be the last time a cellphone will overwhelm it’s user.
Expect to see more warning disclaimers after the law suit.
Like the one about removing the baby before folding up the stroller?
Was he one of the guys taking confiscated contraband to the swap meet?
The mother’s statement that her son was taking pictures seems strange in that the camera could not be located and news account did not indicate whether she was on site or if not how she knew? The circumstances seem so strange.
The mom could have received pictures from her son right before the incident, hence assuming he as taking pictures at the time. The camera could have been lost in a deep crevice or just bounced around and landed where it couldn’t be found.
Try ringing the device.