STRUGGLE FOR LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 16

STRUGGLE FOR LIFE

HUGE WALL OF WATER

LORRY OVERWHELMED

C. A. Howard and his son-in-law, Len. Palmer, both of Grafton, New South Wales, had remarkable escapes recently when a, motor-lorry in which thc-y were driving was carried away by a wall of water and they were forced to struggle for life in a raging torrent at Wvbcrba Creek, midway between Tentorfield and Stanthorpe, about seven miles over tho Queensland border. Tho two men entered tho water, which was only 15 inches deep, to cross the creek, but the ignition had got wet and tho truck was stuck 111 tho middle of tho stream. Suddenly a wall of water about 7 feet high came down upon them. Messrs. Howard and Palmer just in time jumped into the water before the truck was turned over several times by the rushing water and swept away. Eventually it was pulled up against a liugo log several hundred yards further down the creek. Meanwhile Messrs. Howard and Palmer were being carried along by the rushing flood and would have been drowned but for the fact that they were able to clutch a dogproof fence, to which they hung as tho torrent, carrying with it logs and branches and other debris, swept past them. Kxerting all their strength the two men managed to work their way along tho fence to safety, but before they did this they received a severe buffeting from logs and by being swept against the fence posts. They sustained many bruises and abrasions. They secured shelter for tho night at a house near by. Next morning the lorry was found several hundreds of yards down tho creek in 6ft. of wator and in a very rocky part, but tho men wore unable to recover it without proper block and tackle. The cab had been torn off it and tho footboards stripped. But the engine and chassis appeared to be undamaged. The contents of the lorry were carried away, including £ls in notes, which was in a side pocket of the vehicle.