Acting Sergeant Murray Porter of Kyneton police said low water levels at the falls, along the Campaspe River, had increased the risk of injury for anyone jumping in.

“It’s my understanding that the water level is quite low,” he said. “You’ve got people jumping from 10 metres. It’s a simple message: don’t do it.

“Have a swim, but don’t jump in.”

Many central Victorians have visited the popular deep pool, on Parks Victoria-managed land, and either jumped themselves from the cliffs above or seen someone plunge into the water.

While many emerge from the water unscathed, Turpins Falls has a history of injuries and death.

In November 2001, a 24-year-old Quarry Hill man died after a jump from a cliff. His body was not recovered from the water until the next day.

And in March 2013, Ambulance Victoria warned swimmers not to dive in after three men – all in their 20s – were injured in three separate incidents at Turpins Falls over a three-week-period.

In the latest incident at the falls, a woman in her 20s was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital after injuring herself jumping.

“She was in a stable condition with a possible spinal injury after jumping from an unknown distance,” an Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said. “She was conscious and breathing, with no head injuries.”

The incident caught the attention of many followers of the Bendigo Advertiser’s Facebook account.

Many had their own stories of times when either they or someone they were with had jumped from a significant height into the water.

Some readers described near misses and injuries sustained from jumps. Others commented on how low the water was now, while calls also came for jumping areas to be fenced off for good.

A couple of readers said they had recently seen people jump into the water without first checking the depth – and despite signs warning them not to dive – while others expressed relief at not having taken the plunge themselves during a visit there.