Man’s Daring Saves Dog Trapped Above Huka Falls

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1940, Page 7

Man’s Daring Saves Dog Trapped Above Huka Falls

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] TAUPO, This Day.

A dog was rescued from just above the Huka Falls on Wednesday night after a daring feat had been performed by Mr C. K. Fitzsimmons, of Taupo. The dog, a large pedigree Labrador, was noticed crouched in a crevice just clear of the water. The dog belongs to Mr A. Pye, and he with others lowered a box attached to a rope and made vain efforts to induce the dog to enter it. Slid 30 Feet Down Rope.

However, with darkness setting in, it was decided to abandon rescue efforts until the morning.

Mr Fitzsimmons arrived at 10.15 p.m., and he and his wife decided to view the dog’s position. He tied one end of the rope to a tree and lowered the box down 30 feet to the dog. He then slid down the rope. Got Bog Into Box.

Eventually he got the dog into the box, and tied it there. Mr Fitzsimmons then climbed the rope, and assistance was secured to haul the dog up. The water flows at about 30 miles an hour through the race, and how the dog managed to secure a footing on the small crevice in the slippery rock wall is difficult to comprehend,