Boy plunges to death at Morphett Vale
A 17-year-old boy has plunged to his death, while apparently attempting to spray paint graffiti on the ledge of a bridge in Adelaide's southern suburbs.
He fell 15 metres onto jagged rocks off a bridge connected to the Southern Expressway, over Christies Creek at Morphett Vale.
A passerby found his body at about 8am.
"We are investigating that he climbed the bridge, and has slipped from the bridge to his death," Inspector Stephen Howard said.
"We suspect he may have been graffitying the bridge, he was found in possession of some spray cans and that’s one of our lines of inquiry."
South Australian police say spray paint cans were found nearby.
"It’s not really about graffiti it’s about public safety and people climbing a bridge over a creek where there’s a 15 metre drop," Inspector Howard said.
"Regardless of what people are doing on that bridge, it’s not a play thing, it’s not part of some adventure playground."
"It’s a foolish mistake… they’re not for climbing, it’s a simple as that."
Police are unable to confirm if the boy was on the bridge alone.
"We are still conducting our investigation but we don’t have any witnesses at this stage," Inspector Howard said.
Crime scene examiners are currently investigating, and police are preparing a report for the Coroner.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed people spraying graffiti on the Christies Creek bridge to contact BankSA Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to their website.
