Detectives say a 19-year-old man who fell from the fourth-floor balcony of a Tempe apartment complex early Wednesday may have been engaging in a stunt activity known as parkour or “free running.”
John Martin was taken to a local hospital with what are described as serious injuries. Detectives notified his parents, and they joined him at the hospital where he is undergoing surgery.
Police say they responded to a fall injury at the complex at 1115 E. Lemon, near Apache Boulevard and Rural Road. A press release said there was no indication that alcohol was involved.
Originating in France, parkour is a noncompetitive sport that involves trying to navigate urban obstacles by running, climbing and jumping, using only the human body.
Slabside posted at 2:21 pm on Wed, Jul 20, 2011.
"19-year-old man"
"1115 E. Lemon, near Apache Boulevard and Rural Road"
"A press release said there was no indication that alcohol was involved'
Yeah, sure there wasn't any alcohol involved! [wink]