SIX MEN TRAPPED

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1930, Page 6

SIX MEN TRAPPED

IN FLOODED TUNNEL

WONDERFUL ESCAPES

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, April 16

Trapped in the centre of the -100 ft long tunnel by a sudden onrush oi water, six men at the New Plymouth Borough electric power extension works had a remarkable escape through the ingenious device of one of the party. The party had completely blocked the centre of the tunnel with sandbags, through which passed a two foot pipe.to drain the water in the tunnel while the gang were installing valves to control the water in the dam from which the tunnel led.

While they were at work a trfee fell across the power lines and cut off the current. The power house staff, ignoiant of the fact that the gang was in the tunnel, diverted the water iiom the turbines, so that it rushed into the tunnel, trapping the men between a rapidly rising flood and the sandbag wall. With a flash of genius one member of the party realised their only hope of escape was through the two foot pipe leading through the sandbag barrier and filled with rushing water. One member of the party, by this time, was practically helpless. The others unceremoniously bundled him into the mouth of the pipe and the water sucked him through and deposited him into the lower ends of the tunnel in safety. .The remainder of the gang., one at 'a.,time, dived into" the pipe .and were shot out at the other end. They lost no time in leaving the tunnel.

WHAT’S THE GOOD OF RADIO? You may listen to radio when you’re indoors with a cold, but it’s Pulmonas that will bring you out of doors again. These pleasipg ,soothing pastilles relieve coughs and colds by inhalation. Pulmonas are especially valuable for ’flu, bronchitis, catarrh, etc. I’rom chemists and stores, Is 6d and 2s (id per tin.—Advt.