Risked Suffocation In Rescue Bid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 1

Risked Suffocation In Rescue Bid

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 13. Two Australian brothers risked suffocation this morning when they tried to rescue two workmates who had collapsed in a buoyancy compartment in the barge Moehau.

The barge was on the Auckland Harbour Board’s slip in Beaumont street.

“There was no air in there at all. You just couldn’t breathe,” said Stanley Twidale, aged 19, of Brisbane, who attempted the rescue with his brother, Jeff Twidale, aged 22.

Gasping for air, the brothers alerted the Auckland Fire Brigade. Brigadesmen used breathing equipment to drag the two injured men to safety.

They are Ray Pita, of 56 Arran road, Browns Bay, who was admitted to Auckland Hospital, where his condition is not serious: and Brian Hutchinson, of the Rembrandt Hotel. Auckland, who was held during the day for observation.

The four men, employees of V. H. Farnsworth, Ltd., were cleaning compartments of the barge.

“I could hear them moaning,” said Mr S. Twidale, who was covered in grime, and had lost one boot, after the rescue. “But I didn’t know exactly where they were.

*‘l had to crawl more than 40ft before I found Hutchy, who was trying to find the other man. But he collapsed and I couldn’t move him. By this time I was really groggy.” When Mr S. Twidale crawled back to safety, his brother crawled into the confined entrance of the compartments. But he was hampered by a lack of light, and crawled out when almost overcome by giddiness. The Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. F. Wilson), who directed the rescue, said the barge contained a series of buoyancy compartments linked by narrow hatches. Mr Pita was found in the fifth compartment.

“The hatches are only 18in high and not more than two feet wide,” said Mr Wilson, who clambered through to the second compartment. Other firemen used oxy-

acetylene torches to cut a hole in the deck to let air into the dank compartments. A crane carried Mr Pita to ground level, and Mr Hutchinson was assisted down a 20ft ladder.