Improving After Fall On Knife

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30682, 23 February 1965, Page 14

Improving After Fall On Knife

(Neto Zealand Press Association)

NELSON, February 22.

John Kroupa, aged 18, a Nelson youth who fell accidentally on a knife during a hunting trip near the Whangamoa saddle on Saturday rooming, is improving satisfactorily in Nelson Hospital.

The Medical Superintendent, Dr. H. J. H. Hiddleston, said Mr Kroupa had punctured and partially collapsed his left lung. He had been fortunate to miss his heart

Mr Kroupa was hunting goats with two companions, Mr J. Strange and a 15-year-old friend, K. Dumpleton. He had gone up Mount Duppa ahead of the other two and shot three goats at about 2500 feet

He was attempting to slit the throat of one when the animal kicked out. He slipped and the knife went into his chest up to the hilt Mr Kroupa removed it himself and crawled back towards the other two calling for help. When they reached him about 8.30 a.m., Mr Strange decided to leave him there with the younger boy, while he himself ran for help. It was two hours later before he returned with a team of forestry workers led by Mr M. Mason, who organised the rescue.

The Rai Valley district nurse, Miss Miller, accompanied the party and gave |Mr Kroupa two injections of . morphine. It took the party of eight another hour to get the injured man down the mountain to the nearest forestry road at 1700 feet where an ambulance was waiting.