Teen's cliff jump goes horrifically wrong after he strikes rock on way down before plunging into ocean

A San Diego teenager was severely injured in a cliff jumping accident.

The 17-year-old man was recorded jumping from a cliff near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and hitting its side before falling into the water.

The video shows the man being watched by a large crowd as he made contact with the rocky cliff side.

A witness can be seen jumping in to assist the injured man shortly after he entered the water. 

San Diego Fire-Rescue Public Information Officer, Candace Hadley, told the Daily Mail that emergency services were called around 4.27pm on July 26.

According to her statement, the teen was pulled from the water using a technical rescue rig system and transported to a local hospital at 5.16pm.

Hadley mentioned the danger of cliff jumping and pointed out that the activity is considered illegal in San Diego. 

'It's not only extremely dangerous, but also against the law in San Diego.'

The city's Municipal Code prohibits 'any person to jump or dive' into the Pacific Ocean or Mission Bay from natural or human-made points higher than five feet above the water.

Hadley also mentioned that there are many posted warnings along the coastline and advised visitors to stay away from elevated edges altogether.

'We really want folks to enjoy our coastline, but we want them to do it safely and to just avoid that,' she said.

According to a report by OB Rag, from 2005 through 2017, there were 19 deaths and 49 people seriously injured from Sunset Cliffs and its waters. 

Despite the law and multiple accidents, the location remains a frequent diving spot for locals and visitors. 

'We see it a lot though, especially during the summer months when folks are out and about,' Hadley said. 

Although the extent of his 'critical injuries' remains unknown, Hadley added that the teen was conscious and breathing at the time of his transport.

The man has not been publicly identified at this time.