BOYS’ FALL DOWN CLIFF

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1934, Page 7

BOYS’ FALL DOWN CLIFF

ONE DIES LATER IN HOSPITAL

OTHER IN A SERIOUS CONDITION.

HAZARDOUS CLIMB BY BROTHERS.

FEAT FOR AN EXPERIENCED MAN.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Christchurch, Last Night.

Two small boys, Bernie Stratford, aged 9, and Maurice Stratford, aged 7, fell down Scarborough cliff, at Sumner on Saturday morning and were seriously injured. To-day Maurice died from his injuries. The elder boy suffered internal injuries and Bernie received severe head injuries. An operation was necessary in both cases. The older boy is still in a serious condition. They were both unconscious when admitted to the hospital. The boys went to Sumner with their father, who had some bricklaying work to do there. They left him to go and amuse themselves alone, and wandered off to the beach. From the beach it is believed they climbed to the top of the cliff, a hazardous climb for experienced men, arid after achieving most of the ascent they slipped and fell to the roadway below. When the boys were found they were both bleeding from cuts on the head and face and were in a very grave state of unconsciousness and collapse. The boys were at once given medical attention and rushed to hospital. Their father was not located until some time later.