Pair save man who fell from bridge

Two passers-by saved the life of a 55-year-old man who fell from a 40-metre high bridge into the Waikato River yesterday.

A Hamilton woman walking across the Boundary Bridge about 5pm yesterday told police she realised the man had fallen from the bridge when she heard him hit the water.

At the same time, a Taupo man walking under the bridge saw the man falling, and splash into the river, Waikato police communications manager Andrew McAlley said.

The pair worked together to drag the man from the river, negotiating overhanging trees and rocks.

The woman gave the man her jumper, and the rescuers managed to recover the man's trousers, which had come off when he hit the water.

They then placed him in the recovery position until help arrived.

The man suffered bruising to much of his body, minor cuts and suspected broken ribs, Mr McAlley said.

- NZPA