FLOOD RESCUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 12

FLOOD RESCUE

marooned on ISLAND i Six SAFELY LANDED USE OF A "BOSUN'S CHAIR'* SPECIAL TRIP FOR DO - [by TELEGRArK —OWN CORRKSPOXDENT] WAIPUKURAU, Friday Scenes reminiscent of a shfpwreck were witnessed at Onga Onga, near Waipukurau, following heavy rain. K Through the rapid rising of the Tuki Tuki River during the night, six people encamped on a v-shape'd strip of land found themselves isolated. A muddy torrent several feet deep and yards in breadth separated their island ' from the mainland. After a few very anxiou? hours, dur. ing which time the waters y.crc rising swiftly, reducing their island, th'ly were rescued one at a time in a bosun's chair rigged by Mr. B. Diamond, who is in charge of the Central Hawke's Bay Electric-Power Board's sub-station at Onga Onga. Signals of Distress The persons rescued were four men, a woman and a seven-year-old child. They men were employed at a stonecrushing plant and all six were living in tents near by. When they .discovered their predicament they fired guns and, on investigating the reports, farmers living in the vicinity saw their plight. In a very short time a resriio party, in charge of, -Constable P. Mullan, was on the'scene.

Safely Accomplished A spanner to which was attached a line of binder twine was thrown to the island, and the men then were able to haul a rope across. This was fastened' to a large willow tree on-the island and to a stout strainer post on the bank. Mr. Diamond and members of his staff set to work to rig a flyingfox." A bosun's chair was maoo and with a snatch block in position the rescue apparatus was ready. Mr. Diamond crossed to the island to make certain that the equipment was secure, and then the rescue was safely accomplished. Tent Swept Away Mr. Diamond went back for a dog, carrying the animal in his arms as he was hauled across. Just as the last * journey was being made a willow tree crashed into the torrent and was swiftly swept away. One of the camperj had pitched his tent under the l?e of this tree, and it met the same fate, with everything it had contained.

Two motor-trucks, a tractor and the stone-crushing plant were submerged by the flood and were considerably damaged.