News brief
Man in custody following Harbour Bridge operation
The Harbour Bridge was closed on May 13 following a police operation.
All lanes had been closed since just after 5am, when a 38-year-old man climbed to the top of bridge.
Police negotiated with the man and were forced to close all lanes to traffic and stop trains.
Shortly before 7am, the man abseiled down to the bridge deck and was arrested.
He was taken to North Sydney Police Station and has been charged with obstructing traffic (S6 Summary Offences Act 1988); Climbing or jumping from buildings or other structures (Summary Offences Act 1988) and climbing on bridges (S46 Road Regulations).
Blanket shortage leaves Sydney’s homeless in crisis as cold snap bites
Sydney’s roughsleepers are in crisis after the cold snap has left one of the city’s leading homeless support services without enough blankets to meet demand.
Mission Australia’s Missionbeat has experienced an explosion in demand from homeless people since Sydney’s unseasonal cold snap has taken hold leaving its storage bank of blankets empty.
The homeless transport service – which has patrolled Sydney’s inner city streets providing support and comfort to rough sleepers for more than 30 years – is now calling on Sydneysiders to donate good quality and clean blankets to help it meet demand and keep its clients safe and warm.
Mission Australia’s NSW Director, Leonie Green, said Missionbeat staff couldn’t remember the last time demand was so strong.
“This cold snap has really seen demand for help go through the roof,” said Ms Green.
“Officially around 400 people sleep rough in and around Sydney’s CBD every night – but for the last few days, given the strength of demand, it’s felt like twice that number.
“Within a few days our storage bank of blankets and swags was completely empty. Of course, ideally, all these people would have access to accommodation and a warm bed – but Sydney just doesn’t have enough to go around. So a blanket or a swag is the next best thing.
“With Sydney’s overnight temperatures in the single figures the city’s roughsleepers are in real danger of suffering significant health problems through exposure.
“If the cold continues like this and the blankets don’t come through, I don’t know what we’ll do.
“We’re calling on Sydneysiders to help the city’s most vulnerable people by donating clean and good quality blankets. Come on Sydney – have a heart,” said Leonie.
Blankets can be donated to Missionbeat by contacting 1800 306 461 or by dropping them off in person at Unit 1/1 Brompton Street, Marrickville.
Police appeal for witnesses to crash – Leichhardt
Police are appealing for information after a crash in Sydney’s inner west left a taxi driver with serious injuries on May 15.
About 2am, a black Lamborghini Diablo was travelling west along Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, when it crossed the medium strip and collided head-on with a taxi.
As a result of the crash the damage to both vehicles was extensive.
The 51-year-old Rozelle woman driving the taxi was trapped in the vehicle for an hour before being transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with a broken leg.
The 22-year-old Auburn man driving the Lamborghini escaped uninjured. His 26-year-old male passenger was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with minor chest injuries.
Off-duty police officer caught drink-driving – Marrickville
An off-duty policeman has been arrested and charged after allegedly being caught drink-driving in Sydney’s inner-west.
The officer was stopped by police conducting a random breath testing operation on Illawarra Road, Marrickville, shortly after 5pm May 14.
The breath test allegedly returned a positive result.
He was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station for the purpose of a breath analysis, which allegedly returning a reading of 0.087.
The constable, who is attached to a local area command in North West Metropolitan Region, was charged with driving with mid-range prescribed concentration of alcohol.
He will appear in Newtown Local Court on Tuesday 28 June 2011.
