ESCAPES AGAIN

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 2

ESCAPES AGAIN

Borstal Yachtsman

DIVE FROM SHIP AT AUCK LAND.

P.A. . AUCKLAND, J'une 13. Noted because of his previous escapes from custody, Richard Humphreys, aged twenty-four, who made a dramatic voyage of nineteen days in a twenty-seven-foot auxiliary launch across the Tasman Sea from Bluff to Tasmania, and was later ordered to be extradited to New Zealand made another daring escape from a ship in the Auckland Harbour at 2.1 b this morning. He is still 'at large.

Humphreys was clad only ,in a white singlet and a pair of blue trousers at the time. He eluded the guard and dived.into the Waitemata at 2.15 when he was in the guard room on the ship with other prisoners.

Humphreys, it is stated, asked permission to go to the convenience. While he was being escorted by a guard who walked along the deck close behind the prisoner. Humphreys suddenly ran to the rails, dived overboard and disappeared in the darkness. The police were not notified for at least five hours after the escape. As Humphreys is a strong swimmer, and used to cold water, it is believed that he could easily have gained the shore.