MAN RESCUED FROM DISUSED WELL

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 6

MAN RESCUED FROM DISUSED WELL

Fortunate Chance Leads To Discovery COURAGEOUS ACTION BY CONSTABLE Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, March 22. Kemarkable circumstances surrounded the rescue to-day from a disused well 100 ft. deep on the property of Mr. R. K. Ireland at Mount Pleasant, near Oamaru, of a man named John McKenzie, who had fallen to the bottom some time previously. Considerable courage in effecting the rescue was shown by Constable A. D. McNamara, who not only had to don a gasmask to counter foul air in the well, but is also stated to have bad to overcome some resistance on the part of McKenzie before he would allow a rope to be tied around his body. After the victim’s removal from the well be was transferred to Oamaru Hospital. It appears that McKenzie, who lives with his brother David at South Oamaru, last night took up a threatening attitude toward his brother as a result Of which the assistance of a third brother was required. David McKenzie then left to spend the night with the third brother, and this morning on returning to South Oamaru he found that John was missing. The Oamaru police were notified and Constables J. Patterson and McNamara instituted a search of the locality. A fortunate clitrnco led to the discovery of the victim’s plight. While the police were engaged in their task, William Minton, who is employed on Mr. Ireland’s farm at Mount Pleasant, killed an old sheep and threw the earcase down the well. He heard moans coming from the bottom of the well, which'is about 100 feet deep, and immediately notified Constable McNtf' mara, who wag in the vicinity. Ropes were obtained and the constable was lowered into the well, but the air'was so foul that be had to abandon the attempt and was hauled to the surface. Gasmasks were obtained from the Oamaru Fire Brigade, and, equipping himself with one of these, Constable McNamara again descended the weli, and after one unsuccessful attempt managed to reach the bottom, where he found McKenzie The constable’s task, however, was then far from completed, for it is stated that McKenzie resented being rescued and the constable had no little difficulty in handling an electric torch and at the same time placing a rope around McKenzie. Eventually, despite McKenzie’s resistance, this was accomplished and rescuer and rescued were hauled to the surface shortly after 8 o’clock to-night. Dr. R. S. Orbell and an ambulance were waiting at the spot, and McKenzie was removed to the Oamaru Public Hospital. The ol'd well is apparently used as a dump for refuse and dead sheep. In these circumstances and In view of the resistance which he is said to have encountered Constable McNamara displayed considerable courage and resource in effecting the rescue.