CRAWL THROUGH SNOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23857, 11 July 1939, Page 10

CRAWL THROUGH SNOW

COOK'S AGONISING JOURNEY XICKED BY A HORSE cPeb United Press Association) ASHBURTON, July 10. An agonising journey of half a mile that took over five hours to accomplish, and was covered on his stomach through three inches of snow, while the snow fell, was the experience of Thomas Taylor, aged 50, a cook at the Glen Falloch Station, Rakaia Gorge, yesterday morning, after a horse had kicked him, causing what is suspected to be a broken thigh. Taylor was the only person at the station. The accident happened at 10 a.m., and it was 3 p.m. before he reached the house, covered with icicles. He managed to get inside, and by an effort he is too dazed to remember, removed his clothing and crawled into bed. The two other occupants o" the house, Hector Urquhart and J. Rouse, did not return till 11.30 p.m. After giving him tea and food, the two performed the difficult task of transferring him to a motor, packed with mattresses and blankets. A start for Ashburton was made at 2 a.m. in freezing temperature. The first 20 miles were the worst, as there was little more than a track over the shingle, and numerous streams had to be crossed. The greater part of this section was traversed in second gear, Taylor joking with his as the car jolted from one rut to another. Ashburton was reached at 8 a.m. to-day.