Gary Parson attempted to save Craig A. Brooks from falling, Jacksonville, Arkansas, March 5, 1993. In an episode the result of a medical condition, Craig, 17, ran from his school toward the edge of a balcony at a second- floor entrance to the building. Fearing that he would fall from the balcony to the concrete surface 15 feet below, Parson, 44, assistant principal at the school, ran from a point nearby to intercept Craig. He wrapped his arm around Craig’s waist to pull him back, but Craig’s momentum carried both over the railing atop the edge of the balcony. Maintaining his hold on Craig, Parson grasped the railing, and both were suspended momentarily. Unable to lift their combined weight of in excess of 400 pounds back up to the balcony, Parson lowered Craig as far as he could, then let him drop. Craig sustained only bruises. Parson then released his grip on the railing and dropped to the concrete. He sustained a fractured pelvis and severe fracturing to his left arm, which required surgery, and he was hospitalized nine days.
67697 – 7825
67697-7825