FALLON ROCKS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31249, 22 December 1966, Page 1

FALLON ROCKS

Rescue At Sumner

A nlne-year-old boy was rescued by boat after he had fallen 25ft on to an

outcrop of rocks 7ft above the sea near

Fisherman’s point, Scarborough, yesterday.

The boy, lan Christopher Hall, of 65 Arnold street, Sumner, suffered a dislocated hip and head injuries. He was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital, where his condition was reported last evening to be fairly satisfactory. Christopher set off on a fishing expedition with two friends, Hugh Flaus, aged eight, staying at 66 Colenso street, and Graham Baguley, aged 10, of 142 The Esplanade. They followed the track round the cliff, near the foot of Whitewash Head road, from the boat harbour. They were about 400 yards from the boat harbour when Christopher slipped on a loose rock and fell over the ledge. He landed on his back and was wedged between two rocks.

The other boys ran for help. The accident happened shortly before 2 p.m. A St. John ambulance was called, and the driver, Mr N. Howley, decided that a rescue would be easier from the sea. The Sumner lifeboat was launched, but the lifeboat coxswain, Mr J. Kerr, decided it would be easier and safer to take his rowing boat to the foot of the cliff. Mr Howley climbed up to Christopher strapped up his hip and made him as comfortable as possible before putting him on a folding stretcher. The boy, who had been knocked unconscious by the fall, was conscious and calm, although in considerable pain, said Mr Howley.

Christopher was in the hospital just after 3 p.m.