BUSH ORDEAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 14

BUSH ORDEAL

MAN’S FRACTURED THIGH EIGHT HAYS” AGONY BRISBANE, July 4. After spending eight agonising days crippled in the bush during which, despite a fractured left thigh, he managed to drag himself two and a quarter miles to his camp, William liealy Symonds, prospector and tin miner, of Mt. Garnet was rescued yesterday and taken to hospital. During the eight days he was without food. Mr..Symonds said that he left his camp on Sunday, June 25, and was looking for tin about two and a half miles from his camp when he struck his 4'oot on a tussock and screwed his 'left leg around. (He remained where lie had /"lien all day, and a: night, dragged himself to some wood, and started a fire. In the morning he started' crawling to look for water, throwing the injured log on top of the sound one. It took 21 hours of painful effort to find water The next night ha could not find wood to make a fire. On. Wednesday ire •managed to reach a hut, and on Thursday tried to make himself splints, but war; unable to do so. Tic managed to travel 500 yards on Thursday, and on Friday managed another 100 yards. The next day f!o 'ravelled five yards, finally reaching Iris camp. He was found on Monday morning, and was taken to Mt. Garnet, later .being admitted l to Ilerberton II aspital.