Planking death prompts Australian prime minister’s call for safety

Julia Gillard urged ‘plankers’ to consider safety implications of their pastime which involves lying face down in unusual locations The Australian prime minister has called for an end to the internet phenomenon of “planking” after a man died when he fell from a seventh-floor balcony while having his picture taken. Planking entails people lying face down on their stomach in various locations – be they unusual or dangerous – and posting photographs of themselves on social media websites. Julia Gillard described the death of Acton Beale, 20, as “really tragic”, and urged plankers to consider the safety implications of their pastime. The planking Facebook page is liked by over 116,000 people – though there is a separate “planking Australia” page – with images showing planking being carried out on a basketball hoop, a chair and on top of a television. Queensland state police deputy commissioner Ross Barnett told reporters that Beale fell from a balcony railing while a friend photographed him on Sunday morning in Brisbane. The railing is believed to have been two inches wide. “There’s a difference between a harmless bit of fun done somewhere that’s really safe and taking a risk with your life,” Gillard told reporters on Sunday. “Everybody likes a bit of fun, but focus has to be on keeping yourself safe first.” Beale’s death comes less than a week after another Australian man was charged with being found on police establishment without lawful excuse, after he allegedly indulged his passion for the craze by planking over a police car . The activity first came to prominence at the end of the last decade, when it was most commonly known as the lying down game . Planking is believed to be the more Australia-specific term, where it has gained particular popularity. The Planking Australia Facebook page has over 100,000 fans, although some were using the page on Monday morning to express dissatisfaction with the entire planking culture. “Planking is so STUPID!!,” posted Ammy Louiisee. Samie Musawi was of the opinion that: “You guys look like idiots doing this.” However others came out to show their support for planking, with Alison Schrader writing: “Bahahahahaha. I had never heard of planking til it was on the news. I thinks its gold. Some pics r just too funny.” Schrader added: “This just proves that aussie r the funniest mob.” For the moment planking does not appear to be in any sort of decline. Plankers were continuing to upload pictures of their exploits on Monday, with one man appearing on top of a bandstand, another atop a bush, while one woman was photographed perched precariously upon an open fridge. Australia Julia Gillard Social networking Adam Gabbatt guardian.co.uk

Posted by on May 16, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.