SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO TRAMPER.

Shannon News, 30 August 1927, Page 3

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO TRAMPER.

YOUNG LADY SEVERELY INJURED

A FALL OF THIRTY FEET

A painful and serious accident befei a young lady member of the LevinWaiopehu Club on Saturday afternoon, when a party of Hampers were returning from a trip to the upper reaches of the Makihika stream. Miss Ethel Gray, aged 19, youngest daughter of Mrs A. Gray, of Lovin', fell from the tramway bridge above the old sawmill site, and sustained injuries which necessitated her removal to the Palmerston North Hospital. The party, which left Levin by cars in the morning, consisted of Misses Gray, Richards, Leger, Lemmon, Stewart (2), Todd and Kidd, Messrs E. S. Lancaster and Win. Stewait, and the latter’s son, Peter Stewart. It had been the intention of the party, under the guidance of Mr Lancaster, to climb to the Makihika trig, but owing to the condition of the bush after the recoili heavy rains the trip was restricted to the ascent of the tram-line. The ears took the Hampers to a spot near the sawmille sit 3, and the walk along _the tramway proved very interesting. Five cameras were in use, and many photos were taken, both of the beautiful scenery and of groups of the Hampers. A halt was made in the bush while the billy was boiled and lunch partaken of. and about 1 p.m. it was decided to go to the extreme end of the tram-line. This was done, and on the return journey another halt was made for afternoon tea. The edge of the bush was reached about 3.30 p.m. At that time Mr Peter Stewart and Miss Richards were leadingdown the track; Miss Gray and Mr Lancaster were just behind them; and the remainder of the party were spread cut in the rear. Mr Lancaster then dropped back in order to see that all the party cleared the bush safely. Misses Richards and Gray and Peter Stewart Avent on, and on reaching the bridge they stopped to Avait for the others to come up with them. It Avas here/that the accident happened, in an altogether unexpected manner. Miss Gray apparently leaned back on one of the hand-rails of the bridge, and it fell aAvav Avith her, the wood -being a decayed piece of rimu The unfortunate girl suffered a terrible fall on to the large boulders of the stream beloiv. The distance from the top of the rail, as afterwards measured, is 31 feet. Had Miss Gray fallen from the other side of the bridge, she avouM have struck the Avater, which would haA’e broken the force of, the impact -■someAvhat. As- it Avas, < she passed through an experience Avhich to most people Avould have meant instant death, and the fact that she came through it alive is little short of miraculous, particularly considering that she is a tall, sturdily-built young Avoman of much more than the average physique. The three men in the party immediately removed thir coats, and by running poles through them improvised a stretcher. With the help of the AA’h'ole parly Miss Gray Avas brought up to ilie track —a proceeding fraught Avith great anxiety, as the injured girl Avas conscious and in extreme pain—and afterwards she was ' carried to the where at the old mill site. Mr Lancaster then proceeded in his car to Mr J. VarnhaAn’s Tesidehiee, Gladstone Road, Avhere he telephoned for Dr. Thompson, asking him to come out immediately and also bring a car Avith a stretcher. The doctor Avas soon on the way, and picked Mr Lancaster up at Mr Varnham’s, Avhere Mrs Varnham kindly provided a quantity of rugs, besides hot-water bottles ready filled. In the meantime, the ladies of the party prepared hot Avater at the Avharo and did all they could to make the patient comfortable. Dr. Thompson, on arriving at the spot, gave preliminary aid, and Miss Gray Avas placed on a stretcher in Mr Tantrum’s car. A brief call Avas made at her home, and she was then taken on to the Palmerston North hospital. An examination at that institution disclosdtl that she Avas suffering from a fractured pel\ T ic bone, a broken wrist, shock, and extensive bruises. Yesterday the sufferer Avas in great pain, but she passed an easier night, and this morning’s report Avas of a favourable nature. Miss Gray was one of the most enthusiastic members of the Tramping Club, and a great deal of sympathy has been expressed for her and Mrs Gray in the unfortunate accident which happened in such a simple manner, and which Avill necessarily mean incapacitation for the victim for a considerable time.