AGONISING JOURNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1929, Page 7

AGONISING JOURNEY

INJURED MAN CARRIED OVER BUSH TRACK.

AUCKLAND, May 27

A party of bnslimcn had a desperate experience on Saturday night carrying a companion, John F. Lopes, aged 33, a married man, three miles through dense bush on Great Barrier Island, for medical attention. Lope. 1 had chopped through his boot and 'opened a gash of four inches in lib left instep. He was carried by < fellow bushman to his camp, wliih help was brought from Port Fitzrov Just before nightfall lie was placer on a stretcher of heavy wood, am with the assistance obtained a start was made along the bush track that connects Port Fifzroy and the camn Though wide enough for men to wall in single file, the track was too narrow for the stretcher party. By lant orn light, with their axes the mei chopped down flanking saplings and tangled undergrowth and made tlier way in short stages in a strenuous effort to reach their destination without loss of time. Loss of blood had weakened Lopes; his wound, bandaged virh a singlet, gave him much pain mid the ordeal of the night’s journey made under such conditions called fo’ much endurance. For a good deal o f the time the stretcher was on tlu ground while his companions wer clearing the way to move. forward in short stages At about nine o’clock the party reached Port Fitzroy. Twr •stitches were put in the wound by a woman, and Lopes was placed aboard a launch for Auckland. On arriva l here four hours later he was taken tc hospital.