PATIENTS ESCAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 8

PATIENTS ESCAPE

AVONDALE MENTAL HOSPITAL Al.I. KHi.'Al’TriN'.ll LATER ( r®r Tress Association ). AUCKLAND, Feb. 4. Fixe patients at the Auckland Alen tai Hospital, all young men, escaped from a working party in the grounds at 19.40 this morning. (Jue of the men, who went inland, was captured alter a short period of liberty, and three more were apprehended at Point. Chevalier at about 1 o’clock. It was not until after 9 p.m., however, that the last patient was captured. Three of the men proc-eeded to the Avondale waterfront. The tide was then falling and the men, without, hesitation, plunged into the shallow water that, barely covered the mud flat. They reached tne foreshore about 150yds. ahead of the pursuing warders and waded through the deepening water toward Pollen Island. Although one of the patients could not swim, the three succeeded iu landing near Pollen Island still well in advance of the warders, but were later recaptured. Tbe belief that the man caught, tonight would not be recaptured without a struggle was justified. As soon as the warders made apparent their intention of approaching him the man showed fight. Before the patient was safely hand' uffed one of the warders bad received a heavy blow on the face.