AN ACCIDENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1924, Page 2

AN ACCIDENT.

AT WELCOME HUT. ON COPELAND PASS ROUTE. Dr Baird who had been called away to South Westland on Saturday morning to attend an accident there. returned to Hokitika last evening, and from him the following particulars were gleaned. It appears that two young ladies. Misses Harrison and Anderson, of Christchurch, left Waiho and walked to Williams’ at Welieka. The next dav was wet and they did not go further till the following day, when they were accompanied by Mr F. Williams and rode on horseback to Welcome Hut on the Copeland Bass Track. They, were to have been met there the previous day by a guide Iront the Hermitage. He did arrive, but finding thev had not come, concluded the wet weather had prevented them from making the journey, and therefore he returned to the Hermitage.

However, the next day the ladies arrived at Welcome Hut, and aftci putting the hut in order Air Williams left to return to Karangarua to telegraph to the guide that the ladies were at Welcome Hut.

About 1 p.tn. next day (Friday) Miss Harrison when going out of the hut to secure some firewood, slipped and fell heavily, breaking both kneecaps and becoming incapacitated. Her companion managed to drag her into the hut, and there made her as comfortable as possible. The guide from th.e Hermitage received the telegram on Friday morning, at 11 o’clock, staling the ladies were at Welcome Hut, and left half an hour later, arriving at 8 p.m.. to find the lady injured. The weather was atrocious, and there was a heavy flood in all the creeks, lie left a short while afterwards in the darkness of a stormy night to make his way to Karangarua for help, and arrived there at daybreak. after a very hazardous journey among the rough Hooded country that is experienced on the way. A telegraphic message was sent on and Dr Build was advised and lie left that (Saturday) morning, having a rough experience on the way. Architect Greek, some four miles from Welcome Hut was found to he a mountainous torrent that was very difficult to cross, and the previous day hail held *p relief parties, forcing them to stay the night in the open between branches of the creek. Dr Bail'd arrived at Welcome lint on Sunday night at (1.30, when the sufferer was given the necessary attention. Early next morning a number of southern residents made relays for the purpose of earring the lady oil an improvised stretcher over the If? miles of rough precipitous country to Karangarua (a difficult journey at the best of times). The track lay over a rough si retell ol country, with many very steen pinches, and the stretcher hearers had a very tiring experience, which the patient, also experienced to the full in spite of the utmost care given.

Dr Bail'd came on ahead and duly arrived back yesterday. It was hoped by means of drays to get the young lady to Waiho yesterday, and she will then he brought on to Hokitika. The spirit of the willing helpers wlm comprised nearly every able bmlie* man

the near neighbourhood is worthy <1 spot ial iiii*nlion and appreciation, the. men giving their services under particularly difficult eoiiidfiims. so freely to assist in bringing the injured lady In a safer haven.