RIVER SENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1932, Page 10

RIVER SENSATION

LAUNCH ON FIRE. ESCAPE OF FISHERMEN.' Four fishermen were forced to swim more than 100. yards to the river bank when, preceded by an explosion, an . outbreak of fire occurred on the launch Sweetlip, on the river between Hamilton and Pinkenba early on a recent morning, says a Brisbane newspaper. Three of them were severely, burned about the hands and arms, and were later removed to hospital. The launch, which was valued at £7OO, was burned to the waterline. The injured men were: Oliver Wyatt, aged 38, severe burns to arms, hands, feet and legs, and shock. Robert William Gray, aged 44, fisherman, severe burns on hands, and shock. Herbert Ellis, aged 44, fisherman, severe bums on hands, and shock. William Long the fourth member of the party, escaped uninjured.

The Sweetlip, which was 34ft. in length, was operated on a share system as a schnapper fishing launch, for which purpose it was specially fitted. Under the leadership of Mr. Wyatt the four men left Newstead about 5 a.m. on a fishing trip to Double Island Point. About 6 a.m., when the launch was passing Parker, Island, Mr. Ellis commenced to fill the petrol tank on the port deck. . FLUNG INTO THE WATER. Some of the petrol overflowed, and, it is believed, made contact with the flame .of a spirit stove which was burning at the rear of the boat. A loud explosion which followed wrecked a portion of the decking, and flung both Messrs. Ellis and Long into the water. On coming to the surface both men clung to the side of the launch. Mr. Wyatt, who was on the deck, retained his balance, and as a sheet of. flame enveloped the vessel, he dashed into the cabin and rescued Mr. Gray, who had been sleeping in a bunk. The two men promptly dived into the water and struck out for tire bank about 100 yards distant. r . . • A remarkable escape was that of Mr. Long. He could not swim, and had almost given himself up for lost when he managed to grasp one of the hatches. Clutching this, he managed to paddle to the shore. Mr. Ellis, who received the full force of the explosion, stated that when flung . UM

bottom. “As a matter of fact. I brought up a handful of sand with me,” he said later. He swam to the side of the boat, but Mr. Wyatt pushed him away, and told him to “swim for it.” He did so, closely followed by Mr. Wyatt. They were near the shore when they missed Mr. Long. The two men decided to turn back, but they had almost reached the boat when Mr. Wyatt saw Mr. Long sitting on the bank. THROUGH FIERCE FLAMES. Mr. Wyatt was the most severely injured of the three. He had to force his way through fierce flames to reach Mr. Gray ,in the cabin, and in doing so -was badly burned, particularly about the hands and arms. In spite of his injuries he reached the shore safely. The foui - men walked to the clubhouse of the Royal Queensland, Golf Club, where they were attended by the ambulance and taken to the general hospital. Messrs. Gray and Ellis were allowed to leave, but Mr. Wyatt was detained for further treatment. The Sweetlip was burned to the water-line, the private property and fishing! gear of the four men being destroyed also. The vessel was built and equipped about five years ago at a cost of £ZSL