SUCKED INTO A PIPE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 25 February 1920, Page 4

SUCKED INTO A PIPE.

BOYS' TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE DRAWN 200 YARDS THROUGH DRAIN.

At Ballurat recently n wonderful e.-capo from drowning was experienced by Charles Strickland, aged it. while Clifford Dowling. aged 13, had an almost equally sensational escape. The two lad?, with others, hud been ; - ■.■:■ :i 'J !';: t!i" t rporsjion Bains, and after they left the water the caretaker opened the outlet pipe to empty -lie basin. Soon after ho had retired to his quarters several lads re-entered

the water, and while playing near the

exit were surprised to see Strickland disappear. The grating had been removed, and the suction had drawn him into tbc pipe, which is only lOin in oia-

meter, and lead- from a pit about lift

sqiiare sunk in the bottom of the bath The depth at this point is 7ft.

G. Yawdrey heard cr.lls for help coming from the rear of the premises, where there is a pit from which the escape drain to Yarrowee Creek runs. Clinging to the grating of this pit was the boy Strickland. Yawdrey rescued him by removing the grating, and drove him in a motor

to the baths. Nothing of the incident had readied the caretaker until Vawdrey »ud -the boy Strickland :.,;ired. Then the caretaker rati to mo baths. and he saw a Lad standing near the exit pipe, in 3ft or water. The boy was holding the hand of another lad, who was wedged into the exit pipe, bavins been drawn in up to his tins. With difficulty the second boy. Dowliucr. «as pulled our. He was suffering from bruise? and exhaustion, while Strickland, who went 200 yards through the Pipe, escaped with slight