200 FEET FALL FROM BRIDGE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 23 August 1935, Page 8

200 FEET FALL FROM BRIDGE

EX-NEW ZEALANDER SURVIVES »SUFFERING ONLY SHOCK AND. BRUISES SYDNEY, Aug. 15. The sixth person to fall front the Sydney Harbour Bridge and survive was John Raymond Byrne, aged 50, of Ivogarah, who had been unemployed. Friends stated that about 15 years ago he returned from New Zealand with a comfortable fortune Avon on the gold fields, and was independent for some years.

The driver of a tram, w r ater police in a speed-boat, and ambulance officers took part in a dramatic race to save Byrne. In tlie work, of resuscitation the police used special apparatus which va9 recently installed to permit, without delay, the medical treatment of persons rescued from the harbour. It proved highly successful. A city-bound tramcar was passing over the bridge, when passengers were startled to see a man standing precariously on the top of the safety fence in the centre of the bridge. One of his feet was caught in the barbed wire, and he was apparently having difficulty in freeing it. The driver of the tram decided that it was useless to stop the tram,/as there w r as insufficient time to go to the man’s assistance. Instead, he accelerated and the tram roared over the bridge to Wynyard Station. As soon as it stopped the alarm was given and a message was sent to the -water police, two of whom sped up the harbour in a swift launch. Under the bridge they found Byrne swimming feebly. He was sinking when they reached him, but he appeared to be conscious when they hauled him on board. The police then used the special apparatus used for such emergencies. It consists of a mask to fit over the patient’s face, and a pump -which will inject into the patient’s lung alternately quantities of air and carbon dioxide. The effect is to excite the lung and thus start respiration. In hospital he was found to be suffering only from severe shock and bruises. The height he fell -was about 200 feet.

Bailors on a berthed liner saw Byrne falling, but no one saw in what manner he left the bridge decking. Byrne’s mind is a blank, and lie could not enlighten the police. He entered the water feet first and was floating.