Man's amazing escape: Fall of 170ft. from Harbour Bridge
This newspaper article recounts Vincent Kelly's remarkable survival after falling 170 feet from the Sydney Harbour Bridge into Sydney Harbour while working on the bridge's construction. It describes the rescue by fellow workers, Kelly's injuries, and his account of the fall, as well as noting his earlier attempt to rescue another bridge worker who had fallen to his death.
STRUCK WATER FEET FIRST
Vincent Kelly, aged 31, had a miraculous escape from death yesterday, when he overbalanced while working on the deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and toppled into the harbour 170ft. below. He turned several somersaults in his drop through space, and disappeared in the harbour feet first.
George Killen, a rigger, of Clovelly-road, Clovelly, who was descending in a cage, dived overboard immediately he reached a punt beneath the bridge just at the moment that Kelly reappeared, and amazed bridge workers and ferry passengers by beginning to swim. It was clear, however, that he was suffering pain, and Killen swam to his assistance with all speed. He supported his mate until a rowing boat reached him.
Kelly was conveyed to Milson's Point, where a waggon from the Central District Ambulance was waiting, and he was taken to hospital, suffering from shock and injuries to the ribs.
Kelly was engaged in riveting pieces of the bridge decking, and moved backwards on one of the girders to obtain a better footing. The drizzling rain had caused the steel to become slippery, and Kelly lost his balance. Feeling himself going into space he made frantic efforts to clutch some of the decking, but missed his hold.
Other bridge workers were aghast as they saw Kelly drop through the air, and passengers aboard ferry boats gazed with horror at the sight. There was a general feeling of relief when Kelly reappeared and started swimming towards the punt.
Kelly, who lives in Alfred-street, Woolwich, struck the water with such force that he sent up a shower of foam about 20ft. high.
Interviewed in hospital later in the day, Kelly said that when he found himself going through space the only thought he had was to strike the water feet first, and he was glad he had succeeded in doing that. When he struck the water he felt himself going down, and it seemed a long time before he saw daylight again.
"Then I started to swim towards the punt, which was about 60 yards away," he added.
Strangely enough, Kelly made an heroic attempt to save Sidney Addison when he fell from the bridge in March last. Kelly swam out to where Addison struck the water, but, unfortunately, was too late to rescue him.