RACE TO ASSIST INJURED BOY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 16

RACE TO ASSIST INJURED BOY.

SEAPLANE AND CRUISER. ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT BARRIER ISLAND. [THE FRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December -fl Both tho Fairey lII.F seaplane and the cruiser Dunedin played parts yesterday in aiding Trevor Wilson, a seaman, who was injured on the Great Barrier Island, and who was brought to the Auckland Hospital. Wilson, who is aged 18, received severo injuries to his left arm and to liis back, through being caught in a winch while assisting in loading firewood on. the seow Alma, which was anchored in C itherino Bay, on the north coast of ti'3 Island. The accident occurred at about 11 o'clock yesterday morning. The Auckland office of J. J. Craig, Limited, received a telegram advising them of the accident shortly after mid-day, and Mr J. L. Hanna immediately telephoned to Hobsonville to see if a seaplane would be available. He was told that the Fairey III.f! would be ready as soon as a doctor could reach the Base, and Dr. T. Harold Pettit, medical adviser of the firm, made a fast jouney to Hobsonville. Wireless to Cruiser. In the meantime, Mr Hanna, realising that H.M.S. Dunedin was exercising in the Hauraki Gulf, telephoned the Dovonport Naval Base, to see if any assistance could be gained from the vessel. Tho Dunedin was scheduled to call at Port Fitzroy, a few miles further round the coast of the> Great Barrier, and it was instructed by wireless from Dcvonport to proceed to Catherine Bay. Dr. Pettit left the Hobsonville Base at 3-40 in the seaplane, which was piloted by Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford, and just before arriving at the island the machine passed over the Dunedin, which then was steaming at a good speed. The island was reached in just, under 30 minutes. The doctor found that the youth's hand and arm were severely mangled,

the hand being almost severed below the ■wrist. Cruiser Races to Scene. Dr. Pettit considered it would be in the patient's interests to be left for transportation by the warship. News of. the accident was received by the Dunedin about 3 o'clock; but it was not until Surgeon-Commander T. J. O'Biordan was landed a few hours later that the seriousness of tbo case was realised. The Commodore's barge, being the most comfortable conveyance, was used to transfer the injured youth to the Dunedin, and at about 7 o'clock the warship was steaming for Auckland. Advice was received by H.M.S. Philomel that the Dunedin expected to reach Auckland at 10.20 and it was only three minutes after that time that she anchored in the stream, her average speed having been about 20 knots. The youth, who throughout his ordeal had remained conscious, was admitted to the hospital at 11 o'clock. There is every likelihood that it will be necessary to amputate the injured hand.