SERVICES RESPOND

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 61, 5 December 1930, Page 13

SERVICES RESPOND

Plane & Warship to Rescue BADLY-HURT YOUTH Suffering Alleviated Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 4. Both the Fairey lIIF seaplane, which brought prompt medical assistance, and the cruiser Dunedin, played a part yesterday in aiding Trevor Wilson, a seaman, who was, injured on the Great Barrier Island, and who was brought to Auckland Hospital. . Wilson, who is aged 18, received severe injuries to his left arm and to the back through being caught in a - winch while assisting in loading firewood on the scow Alma, anchored in Catherine Bay, on the north coast of the island. The accident occurred at about 11 o’clock yesterday morning. As the lad was working a steam winch his hand became caught in the cables, and he was drawn into the cogs. At the same time his body was swung round, causing injuries to his back. The master of the vessel, Mr.- J. McKinnon, realised that his injuries were so serious that immediate medical aid was imperative. Even in the best conditions the trip to Auckland would take the scow 15 hours. He therefore dispatched a messenger to Motairehe, some miles away, where there is a telegraph office. The Auckland office of J. J. Craig received the telegram advising them of the accident shortly, after inid-day, and Mr. J. L. -Hanna immediately telephoned to Hobsonville to see if a seaplane would be available. He was told that the Fairey lIIF would be ready as soon as a doctor could reach the base. Dr. T. Harold Pettit, medical adviser of the firm, when acquainted, with the seriousness of the man’s injuries, agreed to make the trip, and he made a fast journey to Hobsonville. z . , In the meantime Mr. Hanna, realising that H.M.S. Dunedin was exercising iu Hauraki Gulf not very far from the scene of the accident, telephoned, the Devonport pnval base to see if any assistance could be gained from the vessel. The Dunedin was scheduled to call at Port Fitzroy, a few miles further round the coast, and it was instructed by wireless from Devonport to make the slight alteration necessary in its route and proceed to Catherine Bay. Dr. Pettit left Hobsonville base at 3.40 in the plane, piloted by Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford, and just before arriving at the island passed over the Dunedin, then steaming at a good speed. The island was reached in just under 30 minutes, and the seaplane coasted down and landed beautifully in the fairly, calm waters of the . little bay. A boat had been sent from the scow, and Dr. Pettit was immediately rowed to the vessel. " - ' ••, .

It was found that the hand and arm were severely mangled, the hand being almost severed below the wrist. The injuries were so severe that it would have been almost impossible to have taken the injured boy in the plane. At the same time there was no urgency for an immediate operation, and Dr. Pettit dressed the wound and stopped' the haemorrhage. In view of the fact that the Dunedin was expected at the island before 6.30, and that there was a doctor on board, Dr. Pettit considered it would be in the patient’s interest to.be left for transportation by the warship. News of the accident was received by the Dunedin at about 3 o’clock, but it was not until Surgeon-Commander T. J. O’Riordan was landed a few hours later that the seriousness of the case was realised.

The • commodore’s barge, being the most comfortable conveyance, was used to transfer the injured youth to the Dunedin, and at about 7 o’clock the warship was steaming for Auckland. -.