hotel room balcony by an intruder early yesterday morning, Police said.

The woman, who was staying with her husband and children at the Mermaid Beach Club, was in satisfactory condition in a general ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital last night.

Police said the woman fell off the balcony after she and her husband tried to stop the man from escaping.

The woman was awakened just after 3.30 a.m. when she noticed a flickering light. Upon seeing the light a second time she raised her head, believing it to be one of her children.

At that time she observed a man crouched at her dresser. She shouted at the man, awakening her husband who jumped out of bed.

The woman then grabbed hold of the intruder as he tried to run from the room, in the process dragging her onto the balcony. The suspect then tried to jump but was held back by the couple.

He subsequently broke free from the man and -- with the woman still holding on -- fell from the balcony to the ground. The suspect then escaped.