DRAMATIC LEAP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 8

DRAMATIC LEAP

280 FEET INTO SEA " 3 SYDNEY GAP FATALITY RESCUERS JUST TOO LATE! [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, April 23 Doctors were amazed that "William Albert Swivel, a middle-aged carpenter, vrho leaped from the Gap 280 feet into the ocean below, suffered only blight injuries, only to die before rescuers could reach him. The only injuries Swivel suffered were torn rib cartilages and a bruised side. No bone was fractured. The post-mortem examination failed to reveal definitely the cause of death, although there were indications that he had died from drowning. The Gap is an indentation in the highrocky cliffs just south of the southern headland of Port Jackson's entrance. It has long been a "suicide's leap," and every now and again a despondent man or woman will use its great height to end life, in spite of the vigilance of police and men at the near by signal station Swivel's leap was witnessed by two visitors to Sydney. He spoke to one of these about a vessel leaving port, and then walked to a seat where he read a newspaper and spoke to the other visitor. Swivel suddenly stood up and walked away. "I'm ovefr, old man," he said. He climbed the guarding barrier near the edge of the cliff and clambered to the top of the rocks. On a ledge he raised his hands in diving pose and a second later disappeared. He did not strike any projecting rocks, plunging into the water in a cleft, 6ft long and 3ft wide, in a barely submerged rock. Word was immediately sent to the nearest police station. At the signal station, Signalman Foster trained hif telescope on Swivel, who commenced tc swim from his dangerous position to the open sea —away from the breakers. The swimmer was using only one arm. Mr. Foster sent the port's pilot steamer Captain Cook to the rescue, and directed the ship by signals to the spot where Swivel was swimming in circles, his stroke becoming more feeble. A fishing launch also went to Swivel's rescue. As it neared the swimmer it was seen that he suddenly became still. He disappeared r for a moment, then rose. The boatmen I seized him and held him out of the ; water until the pilot steamer took him | on board, but Swivel was beyond aid. j He had been in the water for nearly | half an hour.