HEROIC RESCUE

Southland Times, Issue 21101, 5 June 1930, Page 6

HEROIC RESCUE

INJURED ON MOUNTAIN

PARTY’S EXHAUSTING _ JOURNEY

MISHAP ON MOUNT EGMONT

(Per United Press Association.)

New Plymouth, June 4.

Tire story of the heroic rescue of W. Carman of Stratford, who was seriously injured through sliding 500 feet down the side of Mount Egmont, was told when a rescue party returned to Stratford at midnight last night. A recent heavy fall of snow on the mountain had frozen with the cold weather anti the surface was like glass. Negotiating a narrow ledge of rock skirting Priests Fingers, Carman slipped and slithered into the gorge over ice and occasional jagged rocks. He 'was held up by a jutting rock and lay unconscious for a time. The remainder of the party, looking down, saw him partially recover as he lay against the rock. A slight movement would have sent him sliding another 000 feet.

With great difficulty the party descended and gave Carman first aid. Then commenced the extremely arduous journey to Dawson Falls. Carman was in a bad way and had to be carried over rocks and along a boulder strewn creek bed. The small party laboured till darkness set in and soon two electirc torches became exhausted.

At various stages, the rescuers were reinforced till at last the Dawson Foils house was reached. The journey had taken from 3.30 till 8.30, ami the rescuers were exhausted. Dr. Doris Gordon had tramped over the mountain from Stratford House to Dawson Falls to render medical attention.

Carman is suffering from a broken breast bone and broken collarbone. Both he and G. Irving, of Stratford, who suffered shock and bruises as the result of a fall on the south side of the mountain, arc progressing favourably.