NO CASUALTIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22289, 26 March 1947, Page 6

NO CASUALTIES

BACHES _SMASHED MIRACULOUS ESCAPES THREE PEOPLE TRAPPED On the Pouawa-Wainul section of the East Coast the wave struck with tremendous and although there were no casualties reported the occupants of two houses a short distance above water level had miraculous escapes. Had there been any children playing on the beaches on that sector of the Coast their chances of escape would have been remote. The main force of the surge was from Tatapouri northwards and at Pouawa the terrific weight of water lifted the Pouawa River bridge bodily from its piles and swept the decking and superstructure half a mile up the stream. Little remained of the 36-year-old wooden truss bridge which consisted of a 54ft. truss span and two 25ft. stringer spans.

There were three persons, including the elderly Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Hall, in Mr. Hall’s home on the shore of Pouawa Beach when the building was overwhelmed by the first of the waves. Fortunately they were just getting ready for breakfast in the rear of the house, a room that was shifted 10ft. and twisted about by the weight and drive of the water. It was the only section of the house not completely wrecked. The other rooms were smashed to matchwood and swept out to sea with the receding water. A nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Mr. R. Winkfield. recently arrived from England, said he was out in a shed starting a primus stove at the time and had no warning other than a shout from a friend. He heard no noise because of the roar of the primus. He reached the road level and saw the wave smash the house. The next instant he was back at ihe house in an attempt to extricate ihe elderly couple trapped in the house. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were badly shaken by their experience. but suffered no injury. Later they were taken to town. Their home is uninhabitable and after the water.