SEARCH IN TARARUAS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 100, 30 April 1927, Page 9

SEARCH IN TARARUAS

MR. VOSSELER'S ACCOUNT

JOURNEY WITH INJURED MAN

A stirring atory of the many difficulties which faced those who took part in -the search on the Tararuas for the missing trampers was told by Mr. F. W. Vosseler, who returned to Wellington last night with the members of his party. Attached to Mr. Vosseler's party was Mr. D. H. Hill, who had the misfortune to break his leg on Tuesday last. Mr. Hill has been taken to the Greytown Hospital, where he is receiving attention. The party comprised Messrs. F \V Voaseler, A. N. Smith, L. Cross, A. Gollan, G. Mace, H.-Douglas, C. Frost, M'Naught, Trege.ar (2), and W. H. Wilson. ' Mr. Vosseler stated that the aeeident to Mr. Hill occurred about midday on Tuesday, as the party was returning from-the upper waters of the Waiohineiti. The accident occurred in rough country, when the party was fatigued and numbed as a result of the adverse conditions which prevailed. Mr. Hill had the misfortune to fall at a par ticularly precipitous spot, which afforded him no foothold. First-aid was rendered, ancl- Mr. A. Smith, secretary of-the Tararua Tramping Club, with another member, set out immediately for Carterton, which was reached at 10.30 o'clock at night. A relief party at once set out from that district, and reached the injured man expeditiously. The-time between the accident and the arrival of the party was twenty-eight hours. Dr. Tweed, who was a member of the relief party, gave medical assistance to Mr. Hill, who was placed on a stretcher made from branches of trees. The long journey to the plains below then commenced. In some places the patient had to be lowered down cliffs by ropes; in others he had to be carried across rivers; and the party had to cross a peak nearly 2700 feet high. They were met at the foothills by the Mastertoa ambulance, ■ and the injured man was conveyed to the Grey town Hospital. Mr. Vosßeler paid a warm tribute to the work of the search parties, members of which carried out their terrible task in. a. manner which must win the admiration of all. Their privations were many, but in spite of that they showed an excellent spirit, which went to minimise the difficulties with which they were faced. . Members of the party returned to Wellington last night. Although fatigued, they are little the worse for the^r experience.