PRISONERS SHOT DEAD

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1930, Page 5

PRISONERS SHOT DEAD

AFTER BREAKING GAOL.

(Australian Press Association)

ADELAIDE, July 18

There Avas a sensational escape effected from the Yatala Gaol to-day by four dangerous criminals, named William Hayes (aged 32), Joseph Duaysou (27), John Newchurch (27), and Arthur Harrison (27). the affairs ended in two of them being killed, and a third Avouuded. hue fourth is still at liberty. The prisoners overpoAvered two guards While they AA'ere working in a quarry. They then climbed the Avails near the seiltry box, in which they drove into the hills in the vicinity of SummcrtoAvn at high speed. The police then notified the whole of the surrounding district, and they asked the storekeepers and the garages, by telephone, not to supply petrol to anybody until further notice,

After lunch to-day, the police intercepted the prisoners at a corner on Barker Road, Enfield, and a fusilade of shots was fired at them.

Newchurch, Avho Avas a half-caste aborogine, and Harrison, were killeu*. DaAVSon, Avho is believed to hav e been the driver of the ear, was injured in the head. Hayes made his escape, . .Harr(son and Newchurch had previously escaped from prison, but they had been recaptured. EXCITING GET AWAY. REFUSAL TO SURRENDER. ADELAIDE, July 18. Fresh details of the prison escapees disclose that the prisoners escaped from the quarry by cutting, the barbed Avire entanglement at the side of the prison. Warder Berg was overpoAvered and disarmed. Sentry StraAVSon was forced to accompany the escapees on the car running board, one of the convicts meanwhile covering him Avith a saAvn-off gun, Avhich must have ibeen obtained in a clandestine manner.

The car sped for nearly a mile, and then Sentry StraAvson was tossed off, but he was not 'injured.

Eventually a tyre bleAv out, and the prisoners then ran into a public school, alarming the children and the teachers. • .

The traffic constables then arrived, and shots were exchanged, and windows broken. There was the utmost excitement on the Main North Road. The escapees managed to commandeer a motor lorry. They Avere challenged to surrender, but they replied with shots. The police fired and wounded the driver, and two of the others were fatally 'shot. The lorry, however, was stopped. CONVICT RECAPTURED, (Received this dav at 9. a.m.) ADELAIDE, July 18.

The convict Hayes was recaptured wearing a woman’s clothes. Two policemen were Avounded during the affray, only superficial, resulting from shot .pellets and Avere alloAved to go home.