Aussie survives 18-storey hotel plunge

Phuket Gazette

Australian John Hurley, 39, suffered serious injuries in the fall from the 18th floor of this hotel, but he survived the incident. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation prepare to take Mr Hurley to Patong Hospital. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation - Patong

PHUKET: -- The Australian man who fell 18 floors from a Patong hotel balcony earlier today is recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

John Hurley, 39, suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, serious injuries to his right leg and a broken left hand in the fall.

His leg was nearly torn off in the impact and he suffered deep bruises to his body, a Kusoldtham Foundation rescue worker told the Phuket Gazette at the scene.

“He landed on the clear plexiglass roof on the second floor and then hit the extended cement terrace of that floor,” the rescue worker said.

“It took about 10 minutes to get him to Patong Hospital,” he added.

Staff at Patong Hospital confirmed to the Gazette that Mr Hurley has since regained consciousness and was transferred to the Vachira Phuket Hospital this afternoon.

Capt Teerasak Boonsang of the Patong Police said they were now questioning witnesses known to have seen or spoken with Mr Hurley before his fall.

Mr Hurley was staying at the Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa, which dominates the Patong skyline.

“We found a chair on the balcony of his hotel room and on the chair was one of Mr Hurley’s shoes,” explained Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Kittipong Klaikaew.

“Also, hotel records show that Mr Hurley called Australia 15 times before his fall,” he added.

Rescue workers at the scene said they could smell alcohol on Mr Hurley.

Lt Col Kittipong said that Mr Hurley was due to check out of the hotel today.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle19439.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-11-14

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

That's what I was just thinking...

"Lt Col Kittipong said that Mr Hurley was due to check out of the hotel today."

I think he rather fancied 'checking-out' a bit earlier than that.

What- or whoever- made him jump doesn't change the fact that just too many foreigners "jump" down of tall buildings here.

Hope he'll fully recover and no problems with hospital bills etc...

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

I feel horrible for "like" ing that post, but it's true.

Why do these nut jobs come to Thailand to commit suicide, waste of air

Agreed sir, if that is the case, but maybe just a tad early to make such a statement!

Patience is a virtue!

These selfish people have no regard for the safety of people they might land on.

The stool found on the balcony may be indicative of the accident, perhaps he stepped on to the stool in order to fix or do something above on the balcony.

In that position he was no doubt dangerously close to the height of the balcony barrier, he may then have lost his balance because alcohol was consumed and feel down over the barrier.

Fortunately he survived, although severe injuries have occurred, nevertheless he was lucky, and if his luck continuous then he will also recover in due time. I wish him good luck.

“Also, hotel records show that Mr Hurley called Australia 15 times before his fall,” he added.

Good chance some of these 15 calls could add a lot of detail as to the "why" he did it if it wasn't truly an accident.

It can be very tricky replacing those balcony lightbulbs ...

A number of nonsense trolling posts have been removed.

Why speculate on why he came down. Is it useful or does it give better info in this. Sometimes I think that people just respond on topics for fun............................

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

That depends on how he felt about killing himself after he was airborne. A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.

[A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.]

Pretty difficult to get data on that, I would imagine.

Wow, those Aussies are tough!

I wish this guy a speedy recovery and we'd like to know what made fall in the first place.

[A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.]

Pretty difficult to get data on that, I would imagine.

True but many people who survive serious suicide attempts are glad they did.

No one falls off high balconies, innate survival instinct is too strong.

Hell, I don't even go out on mine, never mind looking over the banister for the view.

For whatever reason he most likely jumped,

He may have thought he was in pain, but the real pain will begin soon as the morphine wears off and he begins recovery and most likely lengthly rehabilitation, assuming he in fact survives.

He's going to live with pain and physical issues from this accident for the rest of his life.

Regardless, wishing a full recovery.

Unbelievable that he survived. 'Must know how to fly. Best of luck for his recovery.

Just a wild far fetched theory. Google "alcoholism suicide" No lack of expats with alcohol issues.

What- or whoever- made him jump doesn't change the fact that just too many foreigners "jump" down of tall buildings here.

Hope he'll fully recover and no problems with hospital bills etc...

Congratulations!!! Only a few posts in and we get shadowy ennuendo about people jumping form buildings. However surely the primary motivation for your post was the kind desire to wish the poor fellow well.

Any sensible suggestions why so many people do jump to their deaths here?

I imagine excessive alcohol combined with mixed emotions over girls, who give them enormous feelings of pleasure but also equal amounts of frustration, confusion, anxiety and ultimately depression

Got to think with the 'big head' here and not the 'little head'

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

That depends on how he felt about killing himself after he was airborne. A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.

I've read that too... but always wondered how they compiled their statistics?

These selfish people have no regard for the safety of people they might land on.

Outta "likes" soooo....

Any sensible suggestions why so many people do jump to their deaths here?

I imagine excessive alcohol combined with mixed emotions over girls, who give them enormous feelings of pleasure but also equal amounts of frustration, confusion, anxiety and ultimately depression

Got to think with the 'big head' here and not the 'little head'

Every point you have made here, most people experience and I experience too throughout my life. But I and most people don't jump off skyscrapers

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

That depends on how he felt about killing himself after he was airborne. A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.

How do you know that?

Nothing to indicate that he jumped or was even pushed at this stage. Fortunately he survived and may be able to give an explanation. I am sure that the Australian police have spoken to or will speak to those he called in Australia and the thais will speak to the people he was with prior to the incident.

I think the jury is still out on this one.

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

That depends on how he felt about killing himself after he was airborne. A lot of times people change their mind mid-air.

How do we know that?

Got to be the luckiest guy in the world . . . . if it was an accident.

Or the unluckiest guy in the world, if he was trying to kill himself

Why would you think if he tried to commit suicide and he fail he was unlucky. You make me sick on the attitude on this, If a person is having emotional or Psychiatric problems and He /She kills them self

there is no chance of help

. Successful SUICIDE is final. Your humor is very sad .