POLICE have said they are working to ‘identify further preventative measures’ following another injury at a bridge that has become notorious for accidents.

A woman in her early 20s was airlifted to hospital after being seriously hurt jumping from Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, last week.

The honeypot site is well known for being a draw for dangerous behaviour - even though a by-law prohibits people from leaping off the bridge.

“They don’t see below the water - how there is a very narrow area of deeper water,” said Cllr Allan Muirhead, deputy chairman of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council.

“If they don’t hit that, they are going to hit rock formations and make the matter much, much worse for themselves.”

Cllr Muirhead favoured an 'education' approach to the problem but said another potential solution was to make physical alterations to the bridge structure to stop people jumping off.

He said, however, that it was a listed structure and there was therefore a ‘battle between’ its heritage value and the danger it presented.

“We are coming to a point where the authorities are going to have to make a decision,” he said.

The site has been the location of many accidents over the years, some more serious than others.

In 2012, a 22-year-old man died after passing out under water following a plunge.

In 2016, a teenager was airlifted to hospital after suffering back injuries.

Sergeant Suzanne Scott-O’Neill said Cumbria Constabulary's advice ‘remains clear’.

She stressed bridge jumpers placed ‘avoidable demand on emergency services’ as well as endangering their own safety.

She said: “There is clear and adequate signage placed around the area indicating that by-laws are in place in relation to this act."

Sgt Scott-O’Neill said police were continuing to work with partner agencies to discuss preventative measures.