BELFRY ACCIDENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 31 July 1911, Page 2

BELFRY ACCIDENT.

A CLERGYMAN'S EXPERIENCE

A curious and dangerous mishap occurred to the Rev. C. M. S. Playfair, in the belfry of Folkestone Parish Church on a recent evening. In the absence of one of the church officers he intended to> toll the bell for evensong. During the morning and afternoon a band of the Kent Association of Bellringers had been engaged in change ringing, and, not having completed their round, they left1 the bells full swung, fastening the ropes to indicate their position. When leaving the belfry the ringers securely fastened the door. Mr Playfair possessed, a duplicate key, and was able to enter the belfry. It is conjectured that on his attempting to toll the bell in the ordinary way it swung over, and that he was drawn up by the rope and dashed against the belfry ceiling. As Mr Playfair did not attend the service the vicar (the Rev. Erskine Knollys) sent the Rev W. fc. Parker to discover the whereabouts of his colleague.

Some of the bellringers who were in the vicinity of the church, hearing unusual sounds "proceeding from the belfry, knew that something was wrong. Ihey entered to find the cause, and, with Mr Parker, found Mr Playfair lying near fhe belfry window. Not only was he stunned, but it was found that amongst other injuries he had broken a collarbone.