... So that You may be kept informed

NSW:Man who thought he could fly launches from 5th floor balcony


20 Dec 2008 12:33 PM

SYDNEY, Dec 20 AAP - A man thought he could fly but fell five floors from his unit and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, NRMA CareFlight says.

The 25-year-old allegedly ingested an hallucinogen before launching from the Rhodes apartment balcony, in Sydney's west, about 7.40am (AEST) on Saturday.

He suffered a fractured right arm and serious head and internal injuries but was semi-conscious when emergency crews arrived.

A CareFlight spokesman said the man told paramedics he thought he could fly the 80 metres from his Lewis Avenue balcony to the water's edge at Homebush Bay.

His injuries would have been much worse, the spokesman said, but the man landed on a patch of bushes before hitting an asphalt bike path.

A CareFlight helicopter landed in a nearby park to reach the man.

Paramedics stabilised, then rushed him by road ambulance to Westmead Hospital for emergency surgery.