The man was in a critical condition when paramedics arrived. They spent 40 minutes working on him before taking him to Gisborne Hospital. Photo / File
A young man who died trying to jump from a light pole into a Gisborne swimming pool had spent the afternoon playing football and enjoying a few drinks with friends.
The 20-year-old had been at his friend's family home in Lytton West when he attempted the fatal jump from a
tennis court light pole.
"My wife and I were here until just before the incident actually happened," the property owner, who did not want to be identified, said.
"There were about 20 of them just having a few pre-drinks before going to Rhythm & Vines.
They were my son's friends. "They had been here for a couple of hours. They were actually just sitting around the barbecue table outside by the side of the pool. They had gone out and had a kick around with the ball a couple of times on the tennis court," he said.
