TO SAVE BOY’S LIFE

Evening Star, Issue 22277, 2 March 1936, Page 16

TO SAVE BOY’S LIFE

LINER DIVERTED AND PLANE MADE READY ALL IN VAIN [Pur United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 1. The Aorangi, en route from Sydney to Auckland, was diverted to render aid to the steamer Beatus, which requested medical attention for a member of the crew who was dangerously ill, necessitating an operation. The vessels contacted this afternoon, the Aorangi resuming her passage to Auckland, where she is due at 10.30 tomorrow morning. The Beatus is en route from Ocean Mand to Auckland, and is due here to-morrow night. Later information received states that a man on the Beatus died from peritonitis following appendicitis when the Aorangi was 400 miles distant. The name was not available. At the Hobsonville air base a seaplane was prepared to fly over the ocean with a doctor had that been practicable. The Beatus was 400 to 500 miles from Auckland. Flight-lieu-tenant Wallingford fitted extra petrol tanks to the seaplane to increase the range. Meantime the speed of the Aorangi was increased. According to a special wireless message received by the New Zealand ‘ Herald ’ from Captain Hill, the Aorangi had steamed 140 miles off her course to the Beatus when advice was received that the patient, a young mess boy, had died.