PAINFUL CRAWL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 5

PAINFUL CRAWL.

MAN WITH BROKEN THIGH.

ORDEAL IN RAINSTORM.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

GISBORXE, this day.

Agonising pain from a broken thigh was endured by Mr. Thomas Jones, an elderly Waiapu county roadman, during a 3J-liour crawl to the nearest house for aid during the height of a rainstorm at Ruatoria early oft Sunday I morning. Mr. Jones, who is 64 years of age, fell while lookinjr for his horse, and was out in the worst of the storm for more than 3 J hours before he was discovered. He set out to look for his horse, which was in a paddock about a quarter of a mile from Ruatoria township. His lamp blew out, and in the darkness he fell over a bank and broke liis thigh. For some time he called for help in vain, and then began to crawl towards thej nearest house. Eventually the occu- j pants of the house heard liis calls, but] were unable to locate them, and called 1 ; the police. With the assistance of Constable i Birch, the injured man was found about 1.30 a.m. in a very exhausted condition, iHe was hoarse "S-th his continuous calling for help, and could hardly speak. I Constable Birch applied first iid. and - later sent Mr. Jones to hospital in Te - Puia, where he is progressing favour- - ably.