PATIENTS ESCAPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22026, 5 February 1935, Page 8

PATIENTS ESCAPE

MENTAL HOSPITAL CHASE FIVE MEN AT LIBERTY PURSUIT OVER MUDFLATS ALL FUGITIVES RECAPTURED Fire patients at the Auckland Mental Hospital, all young men, escaped from a working party in the grounds adjoining the North Road near Oakley Creek at 10.40 yesterday morning. Attendants on duty saw the five men escape, and several set off m pursuit. Three of the patients made off in the direction of the harbour, whde the other two disappeared toward Mount Albert. One of the men who went inland was caught after a short period of liberty, and three more were apprehended at Point Chevalier about one o'clock. However, it was not until after nine o'clock last night that the last patient was captured by two attendants in Blockhouse Bay Road, near the Avondale Fire Station. It was known that this man would be likely to resist, and he was not taken without a struggle. The escape of the five men was witnessed by many residents of the district, and the fact that one of them was still at liberty after dark caused some conctirn. Men Garry Cudgels From the paddock in which they were working three of the men, each carrying a thick cudgel, crossed the Great North Road and made their way through a farm property into Oakley Avenue, which leads to the Avondale waterfront. The tide was fallinjz. and the men without hesitation plunged into the shallow water that barely covered the mud-flat. They reached the foreshore about 150 yds ahead of their pursuers and waded through deepening water toward Pollen Island, at the end of Rosebank Road. Although one of the patients could not swim, the three fugitives succeeded in landing near Pollen Island. However, they sighted another ' party of attendants gnd police travelling down Rosebank Road to intercept them, and again entered the water, announcing their intention of swimming across the harbour to Chelsea. This plan was abandoned as soon as deeper water was reached, and the three men headed across the tidal flats toward Point Chevalier. Fugitives Cornered The four attendants who had followed the patients from Avondale again took up the chase, having procured a punt. They were unable to overtake the escaped men, who made good progress, although at times they were up to their armpits in water and soft mud. The police party on shore, after making sure that the fugitives did not intend to double back, drove to Point Chevalier, and confronted the three men when they reached the foreshore near the sailing club's shed.

Although cornered, the fugitives refused at first to surrender. It was not until two of the attendants had entered the water that they gave in. They had discarded their boots to make better progress across the flats, and were without their cudgels. They were returned to the Mental Hospital about 1.30. . Large Force Mustered Meanwhile other attendants had pursued the two patients who had fled toward Mount Albert. One was recaptured without trouble in a quarry and taken back to the institution, but the other could not be located. All the available male staff from the hospital, as well as constables from Avondale, Mount Albert and New Lynn, reinforced by men from police, headquarters in the city, concentrated on the search for the one man remaining at large. A wide district was covered, special attention being paid to the roads leading north, as it was thought that he would make off in that direction as soon as darkness fell. Last Man Shows Fight It was not until the evening was well advanced that the searchers received a report from residents of Blockhouse Bay Road that a man resembling the missing patient had been seen not far from the fire station. Two of the hospital attendants finally located him near a street light, and, knowing at once that he was the man they were seeking, closed in on him. The belief that the man would not be recaptured without a struggle was justified. Before the patient was safely handcuffed, one of the attendants received a heavy blow on the face, leaving him bleeding and bruised. The captured man was taken to th<» Avondale police station and later returned to the Mental Hospital.