INJURED MAN’S ORDEAL

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 8

INJURED MAN’S ORDEAL

AID AFTER FIVE DAYS. Five days helpless on a lonely island with serious injuries after being gored by a bull and unable to attract assistance from the mainland—thus was the ordeal of a young man which was brought to light a few weeks ago when distress signals were noticed for the first time. The man, Reginald Lewis, and his mother, were the only inhabitants of the small island of Ramsey, off the wild coast of Pembrokeshire, near St. David's. They had on their farm a young bull which had been showing savage tendencies. While working near the farm buildings Mr Lewis was suddenly attacked. by the animal, which knocked him down and gored him. He scrambled to his . feet and rushed toward the house, but the bull overtook him and hurled him into a window. Mr Lewis’ mother ran to his assistance and dragged him to safety. She dressed his wounds and endeavoured to attract the attention of people on the mainland by flares, but there was no response for five days. Meanwhile Mr Lewis’ condition ’ .was critical. He was nursed day and night by his mother, who repeated again and, again her efforts to attract attention. She was bordering on collapse owing to" fatigue when her distress signals were seen.' A policeman secured a small boat, and with a volunteer crew, reached the island after struggling against a strong current. The task of bringing Mr Lewis to the mainland was accomplished only with extreme difficulty owing to his condition. He was seen at St. David’s by a doctor, who ordered his removal to a hospital. It was stated next day that the injured man was out of danger.