TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 August 1926, Page 7

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

MAN’S FOOT IN A VICE. EFFORT AT AMPUTATION. A Queensland teamster named Thomas Castles, with his foot trapped in the turntable of a waggon, had a terrible experience recently, being Deset by dingoes as ho attempted to hack his foot, off with a knife. He had been on a job with other teamsters, -who were spending the night in Gin Gin. Castles, however, refused their invitation to remain with them, and decided to drive on in the dusk.

The road lay over some rough country, and at one place the -wheels of the waggon struck a fallen % trunk. The turntable of the waggon opened suddenly and, in closing again, gripped the driver’s- foot as though in a vice. He was effectively trapped, though for hours lie tried every manner he could think of to free the limb. Then, terrified by the thought that days might elapse before aid came to him on the lonely track, lie- decided to sacrifice his foot. Taking out his knife Castles slashed at his ankle. He cut-the flesh to the hone, and the smell of the blood attracted a pack of dingoes, which collected and howled at him, being afraid to come too close while he- was alive. Meanwhile he continued to clash at the ankle, hut the bone resisted all liis of forts. He was still working on it when the horses, made restless by the dingoes, moved suddenly and freed the imprisoned leg'. Caistles jumped from tlie waggon, hop pod to one of the horses, released the animal and rode to the nearest settler’s home. He had- lost a considerable quantity of blood and collapsed at the door of the hut. The settler took him to the hospital, where he was admitted in a serious condition.