LUCKY ESCAPE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1929, Page 2

LUCKY ESCAPE

LAUNCH PARTY AFr ECTKD BY F FAIRS. AUCKLAND, December 23. Asphyxiated by benzine fumes from a leaky exhaust in bis motor-launch in AATiau creek yesterday afternoon, Frank Sanft, of Symonds street, Auckland, collapsed at the wheel and was carried ashore in a state of unconsciousness.- Another occupant of the vessel, All's Snowdon, of Bata street, New Lynn, was also overcome and has not yet recovered from the effects of gas poisoning, whilst a third a lad named Alfred AA'ebster, fell overboard. He was revived by the ducking. Describing the misadventure to-day, Mr Sanft said there were five people on the launch, namely himself, Airs Snowden, her two daughters, and young AYelwter. He had experienced some trouble with the exhaust ol the launch engine a few days previously and had repacked the joint, but evidently the packing had burnt out. At the mouth of the AY hau creek mechanical defects were noticed, and the owner changed places with the lad Webster, who was in charge of the engine. " " .* “Perhaps it was a good job I did so,” said Air Sanft, the fumes might have (proved very serious to him. They were certainly, bad enough for me, and I consider myself lucky to bo iqi and about to-day. '1 lie exhaust fumes were evidently coming direct into my face as 1 stood at the wheel to drive the launch up., the creek. I felt dizzy and sipk, byt as the fumes are invisible there was nothing obvious to account for it. AI I the same I knew there was .something wrong, and I realised the best filing to. do was to get the launch to the side, I was just sufficiently consciou-' to steer her towards another launch belonging to Mr Williams, and I knew lie would realise there was a reason for me doing so.” That was what happened, and the occupants of the launch were helped ashore. Aliss Dorothy Snowden, who was seated outside, was being overcome by the effects of the 1 nines as the launch came alongside, and she was saved from falling into the. water by a passenger on Air Williams’ float. It was a lucky escape for all the occupants of the launch.