Man rescued from ravine

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33478, 8 March 1974, Page 12

Man rescued from ravine

eu? Zealand Press Association)

WANGANUI, March 7.

The skill of an R.N.Z.A.F. Iroquois heli-

copter pilot played a big role in the rescue of a Palmerston North hunter from a ravine in

the Waitotara Valley, near Wanganui, today.

Squadron Leader K, Clay-> ton. of Hobsonville. flew close to tree-tops and dropped a line 200 feet to the i hunter. A crewman went down on the line to help. Mr W Headley, aged 30,' a draughtsman, fell into the ravine on Sunday morning after the edge he was walking along crumbled. Although unhurt, he was hemmed in bv waterfalls at either end and the slopes on’ -both sides could not be climbed. He entered the bush with! two friends on Friday night and the three split up. agreeing to meet again on Sunday!

evening. When Mr Headley failed to arrive the other two walked out of the bush and reported him lost to the ’Wanganui police. A search party which entered the area yesterday morning heard Mr Headley at 4.30 p.m. but because of the density of the bush could not see him. Today after five hours and a half of tramping and cutting through the bush, searchers found him at the< bottom of the 65ft ravine. Mr Headley was lifted out at 12.30 p.m. and after being treated at Wanganui Hospital for shock, returned toj 'Palmerston North. I