YOUNG MOUNTAINEER'S COLLAPSE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 September 1929, Page 2

YOUNG MOUNTAINEER'S COLLAPSE.

UNAVAILING EFFORTS OF SEARCH PARTY

NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night,

Another tramping tragedy marred the wedk-end at North Egrnont, the victim being William Clement Alien, a young man well-known in Hawera and New Plymouth sporting circles. Mr. illlen suddenly collapsed near Humphries' castle late yesterday afternoon, and died before his companion was able to bring back assistance from the North Egrnont House. Mr. Allen, who was a great lover of the mountain and a frequent visitor to North Egrnont, set out on Sunday morning for a tramp, prcHumably to Dawson Falls or the Stratford heuso and back. He was accompanied by a friend, Mr. W. Groombridge, junr., oi! New Plymouth. . On the return trip Mr. Allen began to show signs of acute fatigue, and when in the vicinity of Humphries' Castle he suddenly collapsed. Mr. Groombridge. who had been assisting him along the track for some distance, decided that he had better go on ahead and obtain help from the house. Mr. Allen apparently attempted to follow hnu, wnioh was unfortunate, for it seems the effort involved was probably the cause of Ins death.

liain fell heavily as'Mr. Groom bridge hurried towards, the house, and to mako matters worse darkness set in beforo he was able to gain his objective. Shortly before six o'clock ho reached his goal in a distressed condition, tin* forced journey under such . trying weather and the responsibility of his mission haying had their effect on him.. ,

On arrival in the vicinity of Humphries Castle searchers found that Mr. Allen had slipped a distance of about ten chains from the track, and had lost his ice axe. He was discovered with his head down, in a natural position, but it was seen at once that there was very little chance of" a successful resuscitation. Efforts wore made to revive him, but they were unavailing. The return journey to.the house, with the body was a. most harrowing one. In blinding rain tho rescuers stumbled uf hill and down dalo over the tortious and rocky trail leading from the top of tho Ngatoro Gorge. The fcouse. was reached at 10.15 P- nl - * /

Meanwhile the services of Dr. P. (J. Davie, of Now Plymouth, had been obtained, but on examination of ,fhc body h'.> could not do more than pronounce life extinct.