A Miraculous Escape.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 224, 1 September 1905, Page 2

A Miraculous Escape.

Mr M. Schrieber, a settler at Oparau, had a marvellous escape from serious injury, if not death, on Monday last. He w&8 crossing a wire bridge (three strands of fencing wire at the bottom and one higher up to hold) stretched over the Oparau River, carrying on his bacu about GOibs. weight of stores, when the under part broke, leaving him suspended by his hands in mid air. He tenaciously clung on for some time, but the pack on his back prevented him from regaining the land. The strain, however, was too severe to stand long, and eventually he had to relax his hold. Mr Schrieber fell fully 18 feet, and unfortunately (or fortunately, as it now proves to be) fell amongst some huge stones, striking one of them with bis hip. He lay for a few minutes partially stunned, and was then able to rise and with great difficulty walk to a whare near by. When he had cooled down, however, be was unable to walk and had to be assisted on board the launch, when he was brought to Kawhia for medical treatment, and at the present time he is making good progress towards recovery. Mr Schrieber marvels at bis lucky escape, for another few inches and he pould have struck the boulder with his back, in which case the result would have been far more serious.