British jumper’s Pattaya video sparks call to shut down site
A chilling video showing the tragic death of a British base jumper in Pattaya has sparked renewed outrage and calls for a notorious website that hosts gruesome death footage to be shut down.
The 33 year old victim, Nathan Odinson, tragically died after his parachute failed to open during a jump from a 29-storey tower last year.
A Thai friend filmed the horrifying moment, which was originally posted on local social media before being uploaded to a controversial website notorious for displaying real-life deaths, executions, and extreme violence.
Odinson’s grieving brother, Ed Harrison, condemned the website’s users.
“I don’t suppose these forum members would want videos of their own family members shared like this.”
The video has sparked renewed calls for the site’s closure, especially as the UK’s online regulator, Ofcom, gains new powers to crack down on illegal content under the Online Safety Act.
Despite these new powers, shutting down the website remains a challenge. Hosted in the US and operated by anonymous administrators, the site has more than three million members and has been linked to radicalised extremists and school gunmen.
The admin team claims to receive reports from government agencies and has pledged to give Ofcom’s concerns full attention.
However, critics, including Mike Haines, whose brother David was murdered by ISIS in 2014, argue authorities are not doing enough. The uncensored video of his brother’s murder is also hosted on the site.
“Every second we delay shutting this site down, we are endangering our youth,” warned Haines, adding that the site is like a “drug,” drawing viewers into more extreme content.
The site has been linked to real-life murders and school shootings, with perpetrators such as US school gunmen Natalie Rupnow and Solomon Henderson, and UK murderer Nicholas Prosper, all reportedly active members. The site is also notorious for hosting footage of tragic accidents, including Nathan Odinson’s death in Pattaya.
Dr Olivia Brown, an extremism researcher, warns that constant exposure to such violent content normalises extreme behaviour, making it feel like a viable option for vulnerable individuals.
Despite Ofcom’s commitment to enforcement, the website’s location and anonymous administration make taking down the content a significant challenge, reported The Pattaya News.
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