MANDURAH man Peter Darch has a piece of the Old Mandurah Bridge as a reminder of an event that changed his life.
“It’s almost 16 years since I broke my neck jumping off the Old Mandurah Bridge and everything changed for our whole family,” he said.
Mr Darch said he was a 16-year-old “smartass” when he jumped off the bridge and did not concentrate on his friend who had already jumped.
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READ NOW“Through no fault of his, swam into his path…wearing his ass as a hat and shattering my spine.
“Sixteen years later, the bridge is coming down, a new one is being put up and the town that has done so much for me and my family is getting a new icon.
“Not many people know the last place they ever stood , or can pinpoint the exact location of their final footsteps.”
Mr Darch said he had a piece of wood from the old bridge, thanks to Councillor Dave Schumacher, the City of Mandurah, Allan Claydon and the works and services team.
“That piece of wood is now sitting in my house ready to be turned into a fitting reminder of an event that didn’t ruin my life, but changed it and spurred me to do something with it, because not everyone gets that chance,” Mr Darch said.
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