CARAVAN TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 10

CARAVAN TRAGEDY

CHILD'S FATAL BURNS BRAVE RESCUE EFFORT DASH THROUGH THE FLAMES [I!Y Tier,EGKAPH—OWN COItUI'ISPONDKNT ] DA KG A VILLE, Saturdfty \Vhile a travelling circus was performing at Kailiu Inst night, a detective benzine lnmp set tire to a motor caravan in which a two-year-old hoy, Raimon Arthur Carion, a son of the circus proprietor, was sleeping. The child's bedding caught alight, but, in spite of a brave rescue, he was iatall.v burned. The caravan, which is part of the circus equipment, owned by Mr. George Carion, was parked on the roadside, nml it was at nine o'clock, when various entertainments were being given in a number of tents in the vicinity, that Mr. Cariou's eldest son discovered the outbreak of fire and quickly warned Mrs. Carion. The flames, fed by benzine from the lamp, flared up with exceptional rapidity, and entrance to the caravan appeared impossible. Acting with splendid presence of mind. Mr. Ira Jones, a young man employed in the circus, douched his clothes with water, and, protecting his head with a sack, dashed into the blazing caravan and pulled out the; burning bedding and the child. The rescuer suffered severe burns to the hands. The child was terribly burned. He was rushed 17 miles by motor-car to the Northern Wairoa Hospital at Te Kopuru, but succumbed to his injuries. At an inquest opened this morning before Mr. J. A. McLean, coroner, medical evidence was given that death was due to shock, following extensive burns. The inquiry was then adjourned.