A man does a backflip from an East Commerce Street bridge into the San Antonio River. Credit: TikTok / @unitedtreefamily

A viral clip of a man doing a backflip from a downtown bridge into the San Antonio River is picking up plenty of online clicks. ​

In the video posted on TikTok and Instagram from different angles, the daredevil can be seen hanging off the side of a bridge near the intersection of East Commerce and South Alamo streets between Cafe Olé and the Hilton Palacio del Rio. He looks right, and then left, before doing a backflip into the brownish water below.

Although it’s unclear when the incident occurred, the clips began circulating online Monday, garnering thousands of likes and views across multiple platforms.

Commenters on the clip shared by TikTok user @unitedtreefamily were quick to express concerns for the man’s health.

@unitedtreefamily

Doing backflips to keep the river while clean riverwalk cleanriver fyp backflip

♬ original sound – Aj Rivas

“Homeboys [sic] gonna need a tetanus shot after that…” user @mr_slausen remarked.

“That water can give you hepatitis,” @diamondcrusher added.

Meanwhile, user @Joesrt72 worried for the man, noting that some portions of the River Walk in that area are only three feet deep.

Indeed, San Antonio city ordinance bans swimming in the San Antonio River and treats entering its murky depths as a misdemeanor offense, with fines of up to $500.

Beyond the risks of the river’s steep concrete banks and active barge traffic, swimming in the San Antonio River also carries serious health risks, with the water regularly testing at unsafe levels of E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria from urban runoff and wildlife.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...