Police: Man Who Fell Off Hurricane Barrier Was Drunk

New Bedford Police say the man who suffered injuries after falling from the hurricane barrier was intoxicated at the time.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente tells WBSM News 62-year-old Joseph Rogers of Brock Avenue was walking along the new cement path atop the dike in the South End Monday afternoon when he attempted to climb down the steep, uneven embankment toward the water. Vicente says Rogers' gained more momentum than he could handle, and was sent toppling down towards the waters edge.

Rogers was transported to Rhode Island Hospital yesterday afternoon, and underwent surgery for a fractured skull and neck Monday night.

Though most of the cement for the walkway has been poured, handrails for the barrier have not yet been installed. Police say there are no signs prohibiting people from walking along the unfinished project.