COURAGEOUS RESCUE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 156, 28 March 1939, Page 13

COURAGEOUS RESCUE

Youth Critically Injured In Fall Down Cliff PARTY’S RACE WITH TIDE Dominion Special Service. NAPIER, March 27. Tlie youth who was injured iu a fall from a cliff lace at (’ape Kidnappers yesterday afternoon was Lawrence John Potham, aged 17, Hastings. He received severe head injuries and a criiidied chest. His condition, which was critical when he was admitted to Napier Public Hospital. was reported tonight to be unchanged. Tlie immediate ami courageous 'l'lie action of three young men. Messrs. T. Uonole, .1. F. Gerrard and G. t'aldow. who were rabbit shooting in tlie vicinity, saved Mr. Botham from a long wait at the loot of the cliffs while help was summoned from Clifton Sending Mr. C'aldow to Clifton for assistance. .Messrs. Gerrard and Conole decided to attempt a descent of the cliff to the creek bed. This was successfully accomplished. They fashioned a rough stretcher from boughs and made a further descent to the beach, where they met a party bringing assistance from Clifton. Medical aid was given by firelight, after which tlie youth was conveyed back to Clifton and thence to Napier Public Hospital.

Tlie trip back along the bench to Clifton was made in the dark without any time to spare, as the tide was making fast and tlie party m many places was forced to wade through fairly deep water.