CAUGHT IN TUNNEL

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 155, 28 March 1932, Page 10

CAUGHT IN TUNNEL

Linesman on Ladder JUMP TO AVOID TRAM Left Leg Badly Broken Caught on a ladder in the middle of the narrow old Mount Victoria tunnel on Saturday afternoon, one of the tramway linesmen made a last-minute jump to avoid an approaching tram from the city which was travelling through the tunnel at the usual speed. The linesman was Alexander Scott, of 44 Nairn Street, and his desperate move—jumping down from the top of the ladder to the side of the track — probably saved his life. As it was, he suffered a severe compound fracture of tllD loft Ipr'. Mr. Scott, it is understood, was using the ladder to replace one of the electric lamps which provide the interior illumination. The tram was moving from the city end of the tunnel and the accident occurred soon after 2.30 p.m. He made some sort of signal to the oncoming tram, but it was perhaps not distinct enough. At all events, the tram continued to approach and Mr. Scott finally down to the metal at the side of the track The tunnel Is a narrow one and there is not very much clearance between the single tram track and the brick walls. .... c . The tram stopped immediately after the accident and it was seen that Mr. Scott’s left leg was badly injured. Although the operation was hampered to some extent by the' confined space, he was lifted and placed on the rear platform of the tram, which moved oft straight away toward the Hataital end The Free Ambulance received notification at 2.45 p.m. and picked up the injured man at the Hataitai porHe was taken to the hospital with a compound fracture of the left leg, and was operated on on Saturday evening. His condition yesterday was reported to be much improved.