Ralph Wolff, a 68-year-old resident at European Village, is in critical condition at Halifax hospital in Daytona Beach following a fall from a fourth-floor balcony in the apartment complex today.
According to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Wolff had locked himself out of his apartment–414B–above Players’ Lounge.
Anthony Manos, his neighbor in 414-A, told police that Wolff knocked on his door saying he’d locked himself out of his apartment, and if he could use the balcony to jump across to his own. Wolff later told a paramedic that his hands were sweaty when he was trying to jump the balconies. He lost his grip and fell.
A witness who spoke with police said she was inside her Realty office in Building when she looked outside and saw Wolff on a fourth-floor balcony, climbing over the railing at apartment 414-A. He then attempted to climb across to the balcony at 414-B. She went outside and began taking pictures of the man, then called 911 when she saw Wolff slip and fall. He struck several chairs, hit the ground and immediately began bleeding from the head.
A sheriff’s report on the incident, released this morning, states that Wolff had “trauma to the back of his head, a broken right femur, a broken foot, and a broken right wrist. He was also profusely bleeding from his injuries.”
Wolff was treated at the scene by paramedics with the Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue, and transported by ground to Halifax, by Rescue 41. The sheriff’s office investigated to the extent that it wanted to be sure no foul play had been part of the incident–that it wasn’t, for example, an attempted break-in. It was not.
“Not the best decision that you can make, obviously,” the sheriff’s spokesman said. “It’s a tragic mistake.” Wolff fell to the foot of the building. A chair may have broken his fall. “He sustained quite a few internal and external injuries,” the spokesman said. There was no indication of drinking, the spokesman added.
The sheriff’s spokesman said residents caught in similar situations should be contacting management or a locksmith.
The following photographs were captured by witness Fatima Sena and turned into the sheriff’s office as evidence:
Veteran says
I’m 68 and would not have tried that 50 years ago!
Vicki Nixon says
Praying for his recovery …my husband was there when it happened.
daveT says
“”He convinced a neighbor to let him use the balcony in an attempt to hop from one balcony to the next, ” that says it all right there in his statement. His name should be submitted for a Darwin Award
Bearded Woman says
Was he a member of “The Great Waldino’s” high wire act ? Oops !!!
Richard Smith says
I certainly pray that he will survive and be OK. Very poor decision on his part and his neighbor’s for allowing him to try such a risky thing. Obviously he watches TOO many Hollywood action movies where anything is possible!
jasonb says
Wow, I remember several incidents like that during Spring Break a few years ago, you kind of expect that level of stupidly from drunk college kids, not a 68 year old.
Geezer says
I hope that he recovers–he’s a spunky character I’d say.
I’m afraid of heights and feel uncomfortable just envisioning
the man’s near-fatal plunge. Ow.
Get better soon Mr. Wolff.
happeningnow says
What am I missing here? Locked out of apt, go to next apt. Wouldn’t he still be locked out?
happeningnow says
OK. I get it, Patio door locked.
A little Common Sense please says
Hmm, Hmm, Hmm,!!! No comment, but I wish the poor man a speedy recovery.
The Geode says
“The sheriff’s office investigated to the extent that it wanted to be sure no foul play had been part of the incident”. …REALLY?
carol says
Where is the picture of the fall!!!
David S says
I was an FF in Maryland and we never took chances like that we used ladders go figure…..