HANGING FROM SPOUTING

Evening Star, Issue 25714, 11 February 1946, Page 4

HANGING FROM SPOUTING

FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY'S PERIL RESCUED BY FATHER FROM SQ-FOOT DROP (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. Attracted by screams of terror, Mr P. Moron last night' saw. his four-year-old son Paul hanging by his hands from the spouting running round the top of a two-storied building in Cuba street, Wellington. Beneath the child was a sheer 50ft drop to a concrete yard. > The'father stood below with his arms outstretched in the forlorn hope that he might break the fall, which'he. expected at any second, while he shouted for help. Neighbours held a stretched blanket beneath the dangling child while Mr Moron raced up the'fire escape and over two roofs to rescue him. It is estimated that five minutes elapsed from the time the child was first discovered until he. was .reached by his father. How long he had been hanging to the spouting before that.is not known. Apparently., the child had gone up the 50ft fire escape, walked across the roofs, and lowered himself by the spouting, expecting to find another ladder there. " When rescued, the boy showed no signs of shock, although his father did.