I heard on the radio today that a young man drowned trying to swim across the local river after attending O'Week festivities. My ears pricked up, I'd taken photos by the river yesterday afternoon of a young man who was wading through the water (a very unusual sight in this river), it looked like he was looking for something. When they said he drowned at 5:45pm and was seen with a camera strapped to his head, my heart almost stopped. I had photographed this man about 10 minutes before his final breath. When I was uploading my photo for yesterday I'd considered using one of him where the water was all sparkly, but decided not to use it for the day's photo and chose a black swan instead. I've contacted the local police to advise them but am so shaken up by this experience. Just needed to share.
Wow! That's is a very scary and freaky realization to find out. My goodness! I wonder what happened to him. It had to have been a terrible accident. I don't believe folks who intend to commit suicide would take a camera with them. The family must be grieving terribly since he was so young. That's so sad!
@amyamoeba@marlboromaam@sdpace@lorraineb Thank you for your support. It certainly makes you realise that each moment is fleeting and to cherish everything, because in a matter of minutes it could all change...
@aleksandra its a sad fact of life, you just never know whats going to happen next, I feel so sorry for his poor family too, silly sod just couldn't have stopped to think about what he was doing : (
It appears to have been a tragic accident. He was fine when I saw him. After my initial thoughts that he was a bit strange, I thought he may be carrying out some sort of research with the equipment he had on him (the camera on his head, apparently a video camera, and an electronic device on his waist that looked like a small radio), which is why I was happy to move onto the other side of the bridge and leave him to it. Here is a link to one of the news reports: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8423560/man-drowns-in-adelaides-river-torrens
@monika64 I spoke with the local police this morning and they said that they probably will be, it is possible the family may be interested in them too. They'll possibly want a statement too. I'm waiting to hear from the Sergeant who attended the scene last night.
@andycoleborn its strange how a photo can seem a little insignificant one day and take on a whole new meaning the next. I'm considering adding it, but want to speak with the police in more detail first.
@aleksandra Hope you're doing OK matey. As you say, if nothing else it's symbolic of how quickly we can come and go and that we shouldn't take anything for granted x
@aleksandra that's true... altho it's your pic to do with as you wish but possible insensitive if his family are likely to come across it I suppose... I posted this last year about a double murder incident in work..
Wow! I cannot imagine how you must feel... that would totally creep me out to know that I was one of the last people to see someone alive and most likely the last to have a photo record of it. Good luck with your photos and the police and the family, though I would think your photos might go to them via the police. Also good luck with your recovery from this distressful event.
@andycoleborn Thank you for sharing this shot Andy. It certainly was a defining day for me photographically speaking, and I would like to upload it, but am concerned for the family.
Your story sent hairs raising on my back. I think his family might appreciate those last images of him. Thanks for sharing your experience with us and I hope you're ok.
My stomach sunk just reading this, Im sure you feeling alot of emotions about this. There must have been a reason for you to be there to get that final picture of him for his family.
I heard about him on the news last night then woke up this morning to find that another Irish tourist drowned after jumping in to the Yarra river here in Melbourne last night. It's a timely reminder how quickly life can change irrevocably. It is often young men in their 20's doing things thinking they are invincable. As the parent of a 7 1/2 year old boy, these stories scare the wits out of me. Hope you are feeling ok today. No wonder you have been feeling shaken up. Hopefully the pictures you took might help police piece the story together.
So very sad. Personally I doubt his family would want to see those pictures made public at this time and I'd be inclined to respect that. They are yours to with as you wish though
wow! that is just awful! ((hugs)) I cannot imagine the shock you must feel! I agree that you should try to get the shot to his family...maybe through the police? so sad!
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@monika64 I spoke with the local police this morning and they said that they probably will be, it is possible the family may be interested in them too. They'll possibly want a statement too. I'm waiting to hear from the Sergeant who attended the scene last night.