A 33-year-old dancer, Lorna Joyce, suffered a severe facial injury after attempting a daring stunt at her boss’s house party in Epsom, Surrey. In an effort to impress, she jumped from a roof into a pool while holding an inflatable dolphin, resulting in significant swelling and a split lip. The incident, captured on video, has sparked discussions online, with Joyce now advocating for caution to prevent others from similar mishaps.
The Incident at the House Party
During a work-related gathering at her boss’s home, Lorna Joyce, a boxing ring girl, consumed a few glasses of wine before deciding to perform a stunt. Initially, she jumped off the roof into the pool without issue, encouraging others to follow. Seeking to elevate the excitement, she grabbed an inflatable dolphin, ran through the house, and climbed onto the roof via a bedroom window.
As she leapt into the pool while straddling the inflatable, the impact was far worse than anticipated. Joyce described the pressure from the dolphin hitting the water as feeling like “slamming into concrete.” The force caused her face to collide with the inflatable, splitting the inside of her lip and causing significant bleeding.
Aftermath and Injuries
Immediately after the jump, Joyce noticed blood pooling in the water. “I saw a puddle of blood and started screaming,” she recounted. Her face swelled dramatically, leading her to compare her appearance to the “Elephant Man.” Concerned about a prior facial injury from two years earlier, where a thrown phone had damaged her lip requiring filler, she feared the stunt had undone her recovery.
Her mother rushed her to the hospital, where medical staff confirmed no broken bones but noted the severity of the facial trauma. Joyce underwent an X-ray and was discharged, with her injuries described as surface damage. Remarkably, she avoided losing teeth or breaking her nose. The swelling and bruising took about a week to subside, during which she became the “talk of the office.”
Lessons Learned and Awareness
Reflecting on the incident, Joyce admitted the stunt was reckless. “I was lucky,” she said, emphasizing that her actions could have led to far worse injuries. Her primary concern initially was her appearance, given the recent cosmetic work on her face, but the shock of the injury soon took precedence. She shared her story online to raise awareness, urging others to avoid similar risky behaviors.
“I didn’t see the danger at the time,” Joyce noted. “I want others to think twice before doing something so foolish.” Her experience serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of impulsive actions, especially under the influence of alcohol.
Safety Tips for Party Stunts
To prevent similar incidents, consider these safety tips:
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Assess Risks: Avoid stunts involving heights or water without proper safety measures.
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Limit Alcohol: Alcohol can impair judgment, increasing the likelihood of dangerous decisions.
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Seek Supervision: Ensure activities are monitored to prevent accidents.
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Know Your Limits: Avoid attempting feats beyond your physical capabilities.
Joyce’s story underscores the importance of prioritizing safety over showing off, especially in social settings where peer encouragement can cloud judgment.