ARDUOUS TRIP TO SUCCOUR INJURED MAN

Chronicle (Levin), 20 December 1946, Page 5

ARDUOUS TRIP TO SUCCOUR INJURED MAN

-Press Association

By Telegraph—

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 19. After a 25 mile journey carried slioulder higli on a stretcher and then n further trip by motor truck, Mr. Fred Hampton, a single man, of St. Janres st-ation, is expected to reach Queeri M ary Hospital, Hanmer Springs, early tomorrow lnorning. Mr. Hamjjton liad been lying since Mondav last with a broken leg at an isolated spot ill Ihe back eountry 25 miles from the station. His leg had been set and pfit in splints last Tilesday when Dr. J. Cochrane was flown from Christchurch to make a tricky landing in the back Co'untry near where the accident oceuired. It had been hoped to bring Mr. Hampton oht by air but the Weather was against it and it was linally deeided that- the only way to rescue him was by earrying him out by stretcher. It was thought tonight that the trip might take anything' up to 18 hours for a stretcher earrying party. With the party was Dr. R. F. Lamb, of the stalff of Queen Mary Hospital, who was to attend to tlie patient 011 what was expected to be a most trying and arduous trip. Mr. Hampton, who has been employed on tlie station for some time, is a resident of Moun't Grey Downs, North Canterbury. Eight men were sent from Hanmer to take part in the trip aiid they were joined by a big party ofothers from St. Jaines station. The party left with Mr. Hampton in a stretcher at 9 a.m. today„and late -tonight it was expected that Mr. Hampton would be comfortably settled in hospital by the early hours of Friday tiiorhing. Arrangeinents Were that the' party would travel on foot to St. James station where a motor truCk taken there by 'Mr. Frank Sullivan was waiting- to bring the patient over a: rough and steep road seldom used by motor transport, t'o Hanmer Springs. Mr. Sullivan has made several similar trips over this f'o'ad.