ARCTIC BLIZZARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19825, 30 December 1938, Page 7

ARCTIC BLIZZARD

FROZEN TO DEATH FATE OF FOUR PEOPLE ORDEALS OF TRAPPERS THREE DAYS IN DRIFT LOSS OF BOTH HANDS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Asa.n. i (British Official Wireless.) (Reed. Dec. 29, 2.50 p.rn.) OTTAWA. Dee. 28. Out of 'Die Arctic wastes the Government radio crackled to-day giving reports of a terrific blizzard. Mr. R. J. Bray, a British explorer and ornithologist, was drowned when ice crushed the boat in which he was crossing the Fox Channel. Patrick Baird, his companion on a British Museum expedition, was rescued by an Eskimo. Mr. Bray had already achieved fame in London for a collection of rare Arctic birds. Mr. Ben Matthews, a trapper, and four Indians, including two women, ran short of food, when, after leaving Weonsusk for a Hudson Bay post, 75 miles distant, they were trapped by the blizzard. Mr. Matthews went ahead and secured supplies. He returned and found the four others frozen to death, almost within signt of the post. Mr. D. Turner, a trapper, a former member of the Canadian Mounted Police, slipped on the ice and stunned himself. When he recovered his mitts had blown away and. his hands were frozen. He was semi-delirious from pain, but dug himself into a snowdrift’ and remained buried for three days, until the storm subsided. He then grimly battled 18 miles to a companion’s cabin and was taken over the trail to the Churchill Hospital. He> will, lose both hands toy amputation and perhaps both feet.