NAVAL PRISONER

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1929, Page 6

NAVAL PRISONER

ESCAPES FROM CUSTODY

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. October 7

A naval prisoner, proceeding to 'Wellington under escort to-night, made a sensational escape from the Limited express by jumping through the window of a second class compartment in full view of the passengers. A search lasting several hours was instituted near the scene of the exploit, the city side of Parnell Tunnel, but no trace of him was found. It is presumed lie escaped serious injury, and was able to make his getaway unobserved.

The missing man is a stoker, who is a deserter from H.M.S. Diomede, now on heir way to England. He was in the company of a fellow prisoner and a number of escorts and was being taken to Wellington to have his return passage to England' arranged in order that ho might he returned to his ship. The train was pulled up inside Parnell tunnel, through the action of a passenger, Mr Quirk, who applied the emergency tap. Guard A. Stewart was informed that the prisoner was fiext to an open window. As the train was ascending the steady rise approaching the tunnel, the prisoner leaped through the window without warning. The train was moving at a speed of about fifteen- miles an hour, and although there are steep banks, half concealed in long grass and thick undergrowth on both sides of the railway line it is quite possible hat a man would roll down the slope without receiving serious injury.