THE TOLL OF THE BUSH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 27, 25 September 1912, Page 7

THE TOLL OF THE BUSH.

TERRIBLE JOURNEY ON A STRETCHER. Once again (reports the Waverley correspondent of the Patea Press) we have to chronicle a serious accident in the bush, and once again the talc of the splendid, self-sacrificing spirit of comradeship with which it was attended. The accident occurred on Thursday on Mr Jim Elmslie’s bush section at Kapara, some 30 miles “out back” in the Mataimoana country. Jim and Ewen Elmslie, 0. Payne, and C. Deacon were engaged felling and sawing on a piece of bush felled last year. “Jerry” Payne, who is a, young giant 20 years of age, was felling an awkward double-trunked tree. As it fell it jumped back from’ the stump and Payne received its full weight right down one side. Not receiving any response to his usual call when ft tree fell, Jim Elmslie scrambled to where Payne was as’fast as bo could. Despite the fact that one of bis legs was broken besides other injuries, Payne succeeded in standing up on his sound leg as his mate came to the slope, and called out he was alright. Ewen Elmslie and Deacon came quickly in response to the summons and they then commenced to carry the injured man to the whare, over a mile away. The only means of carrying him was on a piece of wood. The distance to the whare was about a mile and the journey occupied close bh three hours. As Payne is a man pf, 14 stone weight, the extreme arduoushess of the task of the carriers will be readily realised. But this was not all. The task had just begun. On the arrival at the whare at 7 o’clock, Payne’s injuries were dressed as well as possible and a stretcher improvised. Deacon in the meantime went to ring up Dr. Harvey from Tate’s. On the way he called at Mr Ross who sent Mr J. Groschinski to help to bring up the unfortunate bushman. At midnight a start was made on the three-mile journey to Mr Ross’. The night was black as the proverbial wolf’s mouth, and the way was but a narrow bridle track, not wide enough for two to -walk abreast. To add to the misery heavy rain fell and the water rushed down the steep and narrow track over which the stretcher had to be borne. When about half a mile from Air Ross’ Dr. Harvey, who -had received the message at 10 p.m., met the party and immediately took a share of the burden. Ross’s was reached between 3 and 4 p.m. There the leg, which was broken above the knee, was set, and the flesh wounds attended to. Dr. Harvey then left for Weverley and sent out the ambulance which arrive*! at midday that day—Friday. Mr J. ‘Elmslie travelled until the sufferer and the ambulance arrived in Waverley at'7 p.m., and''a fresh horse immediately' took it on to the Patea'' hospital, Dr. Harvey substitutin'g Elmslie in the vehicle. Fortunately Payne sustained no internal injuries.!. Ho is now progressing favourably.'! T. iJli c ,i 1 1 ■■■■■■ " i ■■■