Serious Accident.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 50, 17 July 1906, Page 4

Serious Accident.

AHIPARA, Monday. A serious accident occurred on hoard the schooner May Howard, about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, nth instant. The vessel, which left Mangonui on the previous Sunday, was sighted off the Ahipara beach on Tuesday morning, flying signals of distress which unfortunately were not understood by those on shore. The following morning, while lifting the anchor, the sleeve of the mate’s coat caught in the cogs of the winch, which drew his arm through trom above the ' wrist to near the shoulder, smashing the bones and muscles. The vessel signalled help, but as it was impossible to launch a boat she stood out to sea in the evening, returning at daylight and signalling help again. Mr. T. Houston collected a crew, who put off in Mr. John Reid’s whaleboat, which was swamped, the men having to swim ashore. Eventually the schooner’s boat brought the injured man safely to shore. Dr. Hope, of Kaitaia, was wired for, and came out immediately. After a careful examination the doctor found amputation necessary, and the operation was successfully carried out that night at Houston’s boarding-house, the arm being taken off half-way between the elbow and shoulder. Mrs. Hope assisted the doctor in the operation. The injured man is a Norwegian, Charlie Kerl, aged 22.

The sea was so heavy while the schooner was off Ahipara that the cable was cut three times, it being impossible to heave the anchors up. Latest reports state that the patient Kerl is progressing as satisfactorily as can be expected under the circumstances.