HE KEPT COOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 985, 29 April 1911, Page 4

HE KEPT COOL.

The painful ordeal of losing a leg is not one that most people can pass through without much suffering. Yet such was the experience of a passenger from Milson’s Point to Circular Quay, Sydney, one day last week, and, strange to relate (says the Herald), the victim of the accident was the most unconcerned ot the scores of passengers who witnessed the unusual happening. While the ferry steamer was lying at the wharf a man was noticed engaged in conversation with the wharf hand, and so deeply was he engrossed that apparently he did not see that the boat was about to proceed on her journey. Just as the vessel was in motion his determination to proceed in her overcame his discretion, and he made an effort to scramble on board. The steamer was running conveniently close to the pontoon when he essayed to board her, but he had only managed to throw one leg over the barrier when the leg which was outboard was caught by one of the fenders and, to the horror of the witnesses of the scene, the limb was torn off. Willing hands quickly drew the victim of the accident on board, but their concern for his welfare was greater than that manifested by the stranger, who, though wearing an anxious expression, was otherwise unmoved. It was then discovered that the lost limb was an artificial one, and the jamming it had received tore it away from its fastening straps. The concern of the stranger was undoubtedly for his lost support, which sank immediately from view, and has added another specimen to the numbers that must be embedded at this portion of the harbour bottom.