ARCTIC BLIZZARD

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 8

ARCTIC BLIZZARD

4.30 O’CLOCK EDITION

EXPLORER DROWNED AN ILL-FATED PARTY MAN’S AWFUL SUFFERING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 29, 3.15 p.m.) OTTAWA, Dec. 28 Out of the Arctic wastes the Government radio crackled to-day reports of a terrific blizzard. Mr R. J. Bray, the British explorer and ornithologist, was drowned from an ice-crushed boat in the Fox Channel. Mr Patrick Baird, his companion on a British Museum expedition, was rescued by an Eskimo. Mr Bray had already achieved fame in London for his collection of rare Arctic birds. Four Perish Mr Ben Matthews, a trapper, and four Indians, including two women, were short of food and left Weensusk for a Hudson Bay post 75 miles distant, and were trapped by the blizzard. Matthew’s went ahead, secured supplies, and returned. He found the four others frozen to death almost within sight of the post. Burled Three Days Mr D. Turner, a trapper, and a former member of the Mounted Police, slipped on the ice and stunned himself. When he recovered his mitts had blown away and his hands were frozen. He was semi-delirious from pain, but dug himself into a snowdrift and remained buried for three days until the storm subsided. He then grimly battled over 18 miles to a companion’s cabin and was brought over the trail to the Churchill Hospital. He will lose both hands by amputation and perhaps both feet.