SIX HOURS FIGT FOR LIFE.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 219, 19 March 1907, Page 4

SIX HOURS FIGT FOR LIFE.

For six hours a cheesemonger named M. E. Eiband fought for his life between Seeweiler and Seeg, in Bravaria. He was returning home about four o'clock in the afternoon when he was overtaken hy a blinding snowstorm. He lost^ his way. and strayed on the partially frozen lake of Seeg. The ice broke beneath him, and he sank into the water. He tried to regain his footing, but the ice repeatedly broke. In the darkness he lost his bearings, and instead of making for the shore, got out towards the middle of the lake. For over two hours he swam and ' crawled along, and at last reached a small snow-covered island. In the meantime his cries had attracted the attention of a pastor whose house was close by. A search I»arty was organised, but it was three lours before they were able to locate the whereabouts of Eibrand. Even then they were unable to reach him. Planks were placed on the ice, and the half-frozen man dragged himself along them. Four times he fell into the water, and waß ' obliged to swim and fight his way through the breaking ice. When he reached shore he was half dead, and his clothes were frozen to him. Eibrand stated that it was only by thinking of his little girl, who would have been left an orphan by his death, that he was able to keep himself alive.