MAY Morning revellers risk serious injury or even death by jumping off Magdalen Bridge tomorrow, emergency services have warned.

The level of the Cherwell was measured yesterday and stands at just over one metre.

A cordon will be in place to stop a repeat of scenes in 2005 when 40 people were injured leaping in.

One man was left with serious injuries.

The bridge was closed on May Morning from 2006 until 2010 as a result, but since being reopened in 2011 has been incident free.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service station manager Dave Bray said: “The bridge stands about five metres above the water level, and the water level at its deepest point is one metre.

“If someone jumps they are going to hit the bottom, there’s no two ways about it, and death or serious injury is certain.

“The bridge will be open, we’re still using security teams and fencing to try to keep people away but it’s ultimately down to people themselves to realise just how unsafe it is to jump.”

Maria Langler, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust operations manager, said she had seen many people injured jumping from Magdalen Bridge into the Cherwell on May Morning.

She said last night: “There are broken bottles and glass, cans and other items.

“If you jump in there is no telling what you will land on.

“I’ve seen fractures, broken arms, legs and ankles, and the water is dirty so if you open a wound it will go rushing in, that is what you are risking.”

Thousands are expected to join the traditional May Morning celebrations to greet the beginning of Spring.

At 6am the choristers of Magdalen College choir will sing the Hymnus Eucharisticus from the college’s Great Tower.

Church bells then ring out across the city for approximately 20 minutes.

Several pubs and clubs will be staying open extra-late tonight, with events running until 5am.

Many bars and restaurants in the city centre and East Oxford will open early to serve breakfast.

Dancing in Radcliffe Square, Catte Street, and Broad Street will begin at about 6.15am.

Oxford City Morris Men and the Oxford University Morris Men have invited five morris sides from across the county to join them.

Four local bands will be playing at the Truck Store in Cowley Road from 6.30am.

Magdalen College choir will also be singing in the college chapel at 9.15am – members of the public are welcome to attend.

Magdalen Bridge will be closed to traffic from 4.30am until 9am.