Slush Pile: Party-goer's fatal balcony lea

2006 Slush Pile

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Party-goer's fatal balcony lea

2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/4736962.stm

A former Welsh baseball international player died after leaping 80ft from a hotel balcony into shallow sea water, an inquest has heard. Martyn Murphy from Cardiff, jumped from the sixth floor of the city's five star St David's Hotel on Christmas Eve 2004.

But the coroner - who recorded a verdict of accidental death - heard that the water was just 4ft deep.

Mr Murphy had been drinking tequila, champagne and whiskey. Traces of cocaine were also found in his body.

Cardiff Coroner Mary Hassell heard how Mr Murphy, who had been capped for playing with the Welsh Baseball team, was known for attempting stunts when partying.

He was in high spirits - the last thing I remember him doing was dancing on the table doing an impression of Elvis

Mark Mitchell

On one occasion friends had to drag him through a window by his feet to stop him from jumping out, the inquest heard.

His friend Mark Mitchell said he "loved being the centre of attention" and had been joking around with friends shortly before his death.

"He was in high spirits - the last thing I remember him doing was dancing on the table doing an impression of Elvis."

'Martyn, get down'

Tony Ferreira told the hearing how he had walked towards the balcony and saw Martyn standing on the railings at the side of the balcony.

"I said something like 'Martyn, get down' and his last words to me were something like 'I'm fine.'

"Then suddenly he sprung off the railings. I think he was trying to make it to the water."

Mr Murphy plunged around 80ft into shallow water crushing his pelvis, dislocating his neck and rupturing several major organs, including his heart.

The court was told how some party-goers had initially thought it was a joke and had searched the room looking for him before the emergency services were called.

He was found by a lifeboat at the bottom of shallow water and taken to hospital. All attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Pathologist Dr Derek James said Mr Murphy, who was more than three times over the legal drink drive limit, died instantly from "multiple injuries".

Friend Neil Taylor told how once Mr Murphy had his mind set on something, it was impossible to stop him.

"We would never dare him to do anything because we knew Martyn would go ahead and do it," he told the hearing.

"He'd said to me 'that jump could be done' and I told him 'it's not deep enough'."

Submitted on 02/21/2006

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: BBC News 26/02/06, UK

>> Moderator Scores <<

James said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
Drunk, drugged, and a few bananas short of a bunch. Given all of that, what happened is all too common. When people are under the influence, they do crazy things they might not otherwise do. Thanks for submitting, however, we DO appreciate it!

Jorge said:
Definitely Toss: Other

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Party-goer's fatal balcony lea

2006 Reader Submission Pending Acceptance

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2006 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

>> The Darwin Awards, by Wendy Northcutt <<
Link to Fight Evil.