SICK MAN BROUGHT BACK

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1946, Page 5

SICK MAN BROUGHT BACK

— Press Association]

CATALINA'S TRIP TO CAMPBELL ISLANDS

By Telegraph-

■:/ ^INVERCARGILL, May, L ■/ ^ Its «iikSifeTn> snccessfuliy' coniplefpJ," the Catalina iiying-boat which left Blhtt' at 7.40 a.m. today to pick up the 3'icK man at the meteorological station at Campbell Islands, touclied dowm 011 Blufl: harbour again at 3.30 o'clock this afternoon. The patient, Mr. E. I. White, of Christchurch, an ionosphere observer, who was suffering from appendieitis, was brought baclc to Bluff and taken to the Southland hospital. His condition is not eousidered serious. , The Catalina was the lirst flying- boat to make a landing at Perseverance Harbour and Flight-Lieut. A. R. Tucken and crew thus made history when the craft touched down at 10.40 a.m. after a flight of three hours. Luek ^vas with them and the journey was coinpleted without difliculty. They were fortun'ate in experiencing almost perfect eondi tions at the islands, a locality Uoted foi tricky winds. Dr. L. Al. Berry and Sister G. L. Hammond, both of Wellingtos, went ashore. The patient was found to be flt enougli to be taken 011 board and by 12.30 o'clock the flyingboat was in the air again. It had been

the intention of Flight-Lieut. Tuekett to return to Wellington today, but this was not found possible. After refuelling the Catalina will leave tomorrow. Flight-Lieut. Tuekett said that at the time of the take-off from Bluff harbour his morning, the water was so glassy and cairn that it was necessary for the surfaee to be distnrbed by surface craft before the flying-boat conld take off When it was estimated that a point within 50 miles of the island had been reached, the fl'ying-boat 's radar was put into operation and the island located.,.' A' boat from the steamer Ranui went alongside and the doetor and nurse were taken ashore, the pilot and crew remaining in the flying-boat because it appeared the weather might deteriorate This eventuated and just as Flight Lieut. Tuekett had decided it would be necessary for the safety of the flying boat to take off and leave the shorn, party behind, the party appeared. The patient was speedily emplaned and the talce-pff made. Flight-Lieut. Tuekett reported that the patient stood the trip well and had passed the danger peak.