N.Z. Surgeon Saves Man's Life At Sea

Chronicle (Levin), 9 March 1948, Page 3

N.Z. Surgeon Saves Man's Life At Sea

AUCKLAND, March 8. Assistanee to a seaman who had been seriously injured in a fall in the engineroom of the London tanker San Adolfowas given by the Port Line motorship Port Huon on her voyage from London to Auckland. In response to a wireiess message from the tanker the Port Huon was diverted from her Atlantic efossing to steam at speed to the vessel. On tlie Port Huftn 's arrival at Auckland todav the master (Captain E. J. Syvret) paid tribute to the part played by the ship's surgeon, Dr. J. Vance Cfibson, of Palmerston North, who was retiirning to the Dominion after spending eight years in England. "The preliminary first aid work of the tanker 's captain combined with the fine assistanee given by Dr. Gibson undoubtedly saved the man's life," 5aid Captain Byvret. The seaman was brought by Jii'eboat from the tanker to the Poi't Huon where 'preparations had been made for an immediate emergency operation. Tlqs proved uunecessary but unremitting treatment was required for the eight days spent in reaching Curacao where the injured man was landed for admission to hospital. The Port Huon experienced hurricane 'onditions earlier in tlie voyage in the vicinity of the Azores and was practically hove to for two days. No daniage was caused to the ship.