A SAD TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1917, Page 9

A SAD TRAGEDY.

HEROIC RESCUERS AT WORK. ' ■ A double tragedy, attended by very sad circumstances, but relieved 'by acts of heroism, occurred at a selection about seven miles from Warwick (Queensland). 3lr. G. H. Ford is the owner of a prickly pear selection, on "which is a well 45ft deep. For some time it has not heen yielding much water, so Mr. Ford, sen., and his son (aged 2S) decided to investigate. The latter was standing at the windlass, and there "were also present the ivives of both, and Mrs Hockey, daughter of Mr. Ford. A rope was used for lonering. It had a loop at the end for a foothold. After a few minutes at the bottom ilr. Ford, sen., became distressed by foul gas, and called out for the rope, ns-hich was dangling in the well. His son went down hand over hand. He tied the rope round his father and signalled to the women at the top + - haul him up. Thie was successfully dove, Mr. Ford being in a perilous condition. The rope wasagain lowered ior the son, but the deadly gas had clouded his consciousness. However, he placed his foot in the loop and was wound up. . When about 6ft from the surface he was so overcome that he fell iiaek to the bottom.

The women sought help, which came from a man named Watson, who descended to effect a rescue. His gallantry iras of-no aviri};-as lie : foun<i he to

, retreat owing to the poisonous atmos ; "phere. When lifted a ; short distance he ~ asked to be as he could hold off

no longer. Accordingly the rope was •played out, anj Watson went to his doom. In the meantime otlTer help was summoned. Several men arrived, and a young man named F. W. Warr was lowered, but was pulled up gasping. Then J. W. Mackenzie made an attempt. . He succeeded in reaching the bottom, and tied a rope round Mr. Watson. Air. Mackenzie was drawn up. followed by ■Watson's body. Mr. Mackenzie des.cended. a second time, and succeeded in-. bringing up slr. Ford's body. The two bodies were removed to the lospital morgue. Mr. Ford was a mar-

ried man with » wife and one child. Mr. "Watson was e'iri^le.