Long Struggle To Rescue Youth

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30712, 30 March 1965, Page 3

Long Struggle To Rescue Youth

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, March 29. A stretcher party struggled for nearly three hours over steep hill country to rescue a Takaka youth who broke his leg after falling nearly 60 feet down a cliff face while he was climbing near the Limestone creek, Uruwhenua, 10 miles from Takaka on Saturday.

He is Ross W. Lindsay, aged 18, a motor mechanic, of Takaka. His condition was described today by hospital authorities as satisfactory. During the rescue operation, which involved members of the Takaka police and the Golden Bay Search and Rescue Organisation, a collapsible stretcher carrying Mr Lindsay had to be lowered down the face with ropes and carried two miles to where an ambulance and doctor were waiting. Mr Lindsay and a companion, Rex Baigent, aged 16, were exploring ground around the creek when he stumbled over the edge of a drop. He managed to get a hand hold, but before his companion could lend assistance he lost his grip and dropped 60 feet. He hit a tree in falling and was knocked by the impact on to a narrow ledge 60 feet above a boulder strewn creek bed. After making Mr Lindsay as comfortable as possible, Mr Baigent made a fast trip over the rugged hill country for help. The rescue party reached the injured boy at about 4

p.m., and splinted and strapped him on to a stretcher, before starting back. When the party reached the road, Mr Lindsay was examined by a doctor, put into the waiting ambulance and taken to Nelson Hospital.