Terribly Injured But Still Alive

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 1

Terribly Injured But Still Alive

BOY WHO JUMPED OVER GRAFTON BRIDGE RAN AWAY FROM HOME At about 2.45 o’clock this morning, Henry Edward Ashby, aged 16 years and 11 months, jumped from Grafton Bridge. He was found some time later in the bottom of the gully, terribly injured. Both legs were broken and he suffering from severe bruises and internal injuries. Ashby was unconscious when found, and was taken to the Auckland Public Hospital, where he lies in a serious condition. He had not recovered consciousness at a late, hour to-day. Past night Ashby absconded from the ML Albert Probation Home. The authorities informed the police, and a look-out was kept. He was not heard of again until he was found lying in the undergrowth under the middle of the Grafton Bridge. The boy’s parents live at 17 Xelson. Street. He was committed to the Probation Home some time ago. This is the iirst case recorded for a long time of a boy jumping from Grafton Bridge, although there have been several instances during the last few years of adults doing so. Ashby had not shown any previous inclination to leave the home, and he was considered by the matron to be quit© a nice boy. During the past few weeks there have been almost daily occurrences of boys absconding from the home. One ran away on Wednesday, but he returned yesterday. Three absconded last week, but they were returned by the police. There have also been sevother cases reported.