Man dies in Milburngate bridge fall on birthday trip

Nov 17 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

A YOUNG man died after he fell more than 50ft from a city centre bridge while out celebrating his birthday.

Friends dived into the water and frantically searched for David Palmer, of Walker, Newcastle, when he fell from the Milburngate bridge in Durham.

The 22-year-old was out celebrating on Saturday. His birthday was yesterday.

A search operation was launched after the accident at 5.10pm on Saturday, which included a police helicopter and firefighters.

Mr Palmer was swept 200 yards downstream and was sucked below the surface of the fast-flowing water before being pulled from the river.

Last night his family were too distraught to speak but investigating officer Chief Inspector Stuart Exley described the incident as a tragic accident.

He said: “David was out celebrating his 23rd birthday with a group of friends. The group had travelled to Durham on the train and went around a few of the bars.

“They went to the station, but when they realised they were going to have a lengthy wait they returned to have another drink.

“He has gone over the top of the railings and fallen 50ft into the River Wear. His friends realised he had gone over the top when they could not see him.

“It was dark and the water was pitch black so they could not see him. They ran down to the river edge and one of his friends has entered the water to try and find him.

“The family are very shocked. They came down to the hospital and have also been to the site.”

One of Mr Palmer’s friends spent 10 minutes searching for him before two police officers waded into the water and pulled Mr Palmer from the river. Paramedics gave him emergency treatment on the banks of the river before he was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham by ambulance crews. He was later pronounced dead.

His friend was also taken to hospital as a precautionary measure but later released.

Durham Police are now trying to establish the cause of the accident.

Chf Insp Exley said: “They were in high spirits and for some inexplicable reason he has fallen. We’ve got accounts from his friends he was with and we are appealing for witnesses.

“We believe it was 5.10pm and it is a very busy bridge. There would have been cars and pedestrians using the road at the time.

“We are trying to find out if anyone else has seen this group of young men on the bridge and if they can confirm what we already know.”

A post-mortem examination will be carried out today to establish cause of death. Witnesses should call 0345 606-0365.