Footholds Cut With Comb

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 3

Footholds Cut With Comb

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 9. Mr B. C Smith, aged 42, of Auckland, used a nylon comb to dig footholds as he climbed a 224 ft cliff face yesterday in an attempt to save himself and two seriously injured friends.

The other two men are Mr L. Baumber, aged 50, of Mangere, Auckland, and Mr J. E. Seabright, aged 63, of Ongarue. All three are in a serious condition. After he reached the top of the cliff Mr Smith, suffering from severe shock, crawled about a mile to a

farmhouse where he telephoned for help. He left his two companions lying on the side of a utility vehicle stranded in the Makakaho river.

A helicopter later flew the men to the Wanganui Hospital. The vehicle plunged Into the river off the Makakaho road about 9.30 a.m. Constable A. Summersell, of the Wanganui police, said it landed on its side with only about a foot showing above water.

“Mr Smith made the other two as comfortable as possible on the side of the vehicle, using the door and side as a landing,” said Constable Summersell. “He told them not to move, swam down the river and

climbed the cliff—only to find himself on the wrong side. “He re-crossed the river to the other bank and started his climb again. “He was forced to use a nylon comb to make footholds and handgrips. How he got up I’ll never know.” Constable Summersell said Mr Smith had finally raised help after about two hours. Dr. I. J. Caulthart, of Waverley, had to climb down the cliff face and row a boat for some distance to attend the injured pair. The vehicle skidded off the road, over a bank, dug into a tree stump, and then tumbled into the river 224 ft below. Mr Smith was on a duckshooting expedition with his friends.