EXCITING CHASE AFTER AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.

Dunstan Times, Issue 526, 17 May 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

EXCITING CHASE AFTER AN ESCAPED LUNATIC.

The following exciting affair lately occurred at Hanwell, It appears that a constable named Dean saw a lunatic (William Dempsey) jump over the wall surrounding the grounds of the County Lunatic Asylum, aud run off down a lane towards Southall. The constable immediately followed, and the chase ontinu d lor nearly three miles across fields and roads, until Dempsey, ran on to the towing path of the Grand Junction Canal, towards Greenford Green. The constable overt ok him near this village, and on ati mpting to detain him a most violent struggle took place. , The constable was thrown several times by the lunatic, the latter being a powerfullybuilt man. Dean, however,l still managed to maintain his hold, although nearly exhausted from the extreme exertion he had undergone. The lunatic then cl ped him in his arms, aud leaped into the canal with h'm, at a point where there is nearly nine feet of water. The constable, finding that he was losing power, shou -d tor assistance, and fortunately a b.r ,e hove in sight at the lime, in charge c- one William Holford, of Greenford. Hnlford -eeing what had occurred, at once jumped into tV. water, and seizing hold of the censt ble, attempted (in vain) to release him from the grasp of the madman. By this time, fort mately, the cries had attracted e -oral of the villagers, including another constable named Reiley, and, by means of ropes, the three men were rescued from their perilous position, and conveyed to the Black Horse Inn, Gre nford, and there supplied with restor - lives and dry clothing. Dempsey w: ”, placed under restraint, and taken ck to the Asylum in a cab. The Governor complimented Bean and Holford on their bravery, and promised to lay the matter before the Visiting Justices at their next meeting. Had it not been for Holford, both the constable and the lunatic must have been drowned, n