DROVER’S ESCAPE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1933, Page 3

DROVER’S ESCAPE

HORSE BACKS OVER CLIFF. ;Mr Rex Cook, of Melbourne, had a remarkable escape from death recently when the horse he was- riding backed over a. 500-foot precipice, near Dungog, New South Wales. With two companions he was bringing a mob of bullockg from Barrington Top s to Dungog feu- trucking.. He wa s riding at the head, of the mob ) showing tile way down the descant of 5000 feet.

The track in some places- is very narrow, and approaching the most dangerous turn, known locally 0s “the Corker,” Mr Cook, in steadying the cattle, turned hi lS 'hor.se around. The horse backed over the edge of the cliff, and rolled 300 feet to the bottom of the gorge. Mr Cook struck a tree 20 feet down and lay there. The other movers, Messr 6 J. Oi’Osby and McCulloch, heating a- faint cry .found Mr Cook.

The.accident occurred at midday, and Mr (Ctosby rode eight miles to the Barrington guest • house, where a stretcher-bearing .party wrs organised. They reached Mr Cook about dusk, amu carried him down.the mountain side and through tho. dense bush. Heavy rain, darkness, and the slippery ground made the journey difficult. It wa s 11 o’clock at night when the guest ■ house was reached, .rind the patient received medical attention*. Sir Cook was badly bruised and suffering from shock,