FALL FROM A CLIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20962, 27 February 1930, Page 12

FALL FROM A CLIFF.

A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. SMALL BOYS’ RECKLESS FEAT. (Special to Dailt Times.) AUCKLAND, February 26. A graphic story of the rescue of two boys, Ralph and Alex Sinclair, from the base of a cliff over 80 feet high down which they had fallen at Cape Brett on Monday, was told to-day by the inhabitants at the Cape lighthouse. The boys are sons of Mr Sinclair, who was recently appointed keeper of the lighthouse. With a companion, Alfred Hodge, the boys had been bathing from the beach at the foot of the cliff, and instead of following the longest and safest way home they attempted a short cut by_ climbing the cliff. Hodge managed thd climb and the Sinclair boys were over halfway up when they lost their footing, and plunged headlong down the rocky slope. It was a miracle that they escaped with their lives. Alex, aged , 11, was the first to have his fall arrested, and his body acted as buffer in stopping his brother, Robert, aged 7. Alex received such severe injuries to liis head that 30 stitches'had to be inserted. Robert received only minor abrasions in addition to shock. The alarm was given by Alfred Hodge and was conveyed by his mother to Mr D, E. Graham, assistant light-keeper. Mr Graham took the long way to the beach, where he found Alex unconscious. After rendering first aid and making him as comfortable as possible, Graham earned the younger boy to safety and then returned for Alex.- It was difficult to carry the boy over the rocky ground, but eventually further assistance was forthcoming from the lighthouse, and the boy was carried there. In the meantime Dr Tarrant Hoskins, of Russell, had been summoned and he made the trip to the lighthouse beach in a fast launch. He worked over Alex for five lioura before he was able to pronounce him out of danger. The boy was admitted to Kawakawa Hospital this morning.