Cyclist Remains In Critical Condition

Illawarra Mercury

Friday January 2, 2009

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

A 34-YEAR-OLD man was lucky to escape serious injury after crashing through a glass balcony and falling head first on to a car at Wollongong on New Year's Eve.

A Fairy Meadow cyclist, meantime, is in a critical condition after colliding with a taxi on the same night.

Wollongong Police Inspector Brian Wyver said, with the exception of several serious incidents, the city welcomed 2009 in a well-behaved fashion.

Eight arrests were made, including two for drink-driving offences and one for cocaine possession.

Two police officers were treated for facial injuries after being assaulted, one outside Wollongong Art Gallery about 10.30pm and the other outside the North Wollongong Hotel.

Insp Wyver said a 51-year-old Fairy Meadow man was riding his bike on a footpath along Towradgi Rd at 11.20pm when he merged with traffic and collided with a taxi.

"He was treated in the first instance for a fractured ankle and was taken to Wollongong Hospital.

"His condition deteriorated overnight and he was admitted to the resuscitation unit in intensive care."

Lake Illawarra Police made 12 arrests for drink-driving, traffic-related offences and assault.

Officers patrolled 44 licensed premises and searched 58 people within the command.

Illawarra Ambulance district manager Norm Rees said his team worked solidly throughout the night, attending 250 call-outs.

"It was very busy. There were thousands of people out and about, they were all over the place," Mr Rees said.

He said a 34-year-old Figtree man was lucky to be alive after falling through a balcony while attending a party in a unit block on Cliff Rd.

While standing on the verandah to watch the fireworks on Wollongong Harbour, he leaned against the frameless glass balcony.

"The panel has smashed and he fell through," Mr Rees said.

"He fell 3m before landing head first on the boot of a car below."

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital with a suspected skull fracture and spinal injuries, however, after being treated he was allowed to leave.

Paramedics also attended several brawls throughout the night, including a major scuffle at Ulladulla.

Two people were also treated for ecstasy overdoses.

A Warrawong man was lucky not to lose an eye after he was glassed by another male in Greene St, Warrawong.

"The stab wound in his face went along his eye socket, so he was really lucky," Mr Rees said.

© 2009 Illawarra Mercury

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