Police warning as "decking" goes global

SYDNEY- it is a value of life in a wheelchair to make a funny picture to impress someone you don't know on the Internet?

It is the police issue in Australia asked after a man died Sunday taking part in the latest craze goes viral on Internet-"planks".

Acton Beale, 20, plunged to his death after position themselves for a picture on a balcony railing seven floors in Brisbane, after a night drinking.

It was a "planker", a group of rapid growth of the people who lie flat on their stomachs with their weapons against their body - to resemble a plate - unusual and sometimes dangerous situations.

Photographs of their exploits are then shared through social media sites.

Little known until last week, when a man was charged with planks on a police car, the planks Australia Facebook page has seen its number of fans soar in less than 10 000 four days ago 100 000 Monday.

The enthusiasm and the news of the death of Beale, caused Facebook chat sites copy everywhere in the world, including UK, USA decking, France and Germany decking decking boards.

But the police is concerned that the fad could turn out of control.

"We don't have any problem with boards himself," Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Ross Barnett told journalists.

"If you want to take a photo of yourself plates on a park bench two feet off the ground, there is no risk to your health and with whom."

"But when you start to do seven floors or lying across a railway line or in a range of other places that invite the death or serious injury, this is what we have a concern about."

"Ultimately, is life in a wheelchair for a funny photo to impress someone you don't know on the Internet?"

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also had words of caution Monday.

"Well, I suppose that there is a difference between a little harmless fun... and take a risk with your life," she said.

"This (death) is a really tragic thing - there would be a family who is just devastated today.".

"So my message would be all the world loves a bit of fun, but the discussion must be protect it yourself first."

Sam Weckert, the founder of Facebook page dedicated to boards in Australia, denied that the enthusiasm encourages people to take unnecessary risks.

"Plank was launched as a fun time and past quirky," he was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

"While we have no control over the actions of others we would like to encourage all members of the Group planking and the general public to undertake this safe and responsible manner."

"We would like to encourage all members of the planking and the media do not to sensationalize tragic event", he added, referring to the death of Beale.

The trend has created practical videos on YouTube, and the term now has a Wikipedia entry.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, boards began to become popular several years in Europe and the Japan, where it was known as "the lying game".

But only took flight recently with the sentence "plates" seems to have been invented in Australia.