Man strikes head jumping from balcony into lake

By KOMO Staff

Summary

A man who police say had been drinking was critically injured when he struck his head on a balcony as he was jumping from the third floor into Lake Washington.

Story Published: Aug 2, 2009 at 9:38 PM PST

Story Updated: Aug 3, 2009 at 6:00 AM PST

Man strikes head jumping from balcony into lake
SEATTLE -- A man was critically injured after he struck his head on a balcony while jumping from three stories high into Lake Washington.

It happened in the 9600 block of Rainier Ave. South Sunday evening, police said.

The man, who is in his 20s, climbed out and jumped from a third-floor balcony, aiming for a lake below. However, on his way down he struck his head on the second floor balcony and then hit the water.

Two brothers who lived next door jumped in to rescue him and began CPR.

"All we heard was a body splash and some people yelling, people screaming," said John Peshatz. "We saw a body floating, so we jumped in and pulled him out. That's the only thing you can do."

Medics arrived and rushed the man to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he was listed in critical condition.

Investigators believe alcohol was a factor.

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