TRAGEDY IN RANGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 940, 5 April 1930, Page 1

TRAGEDY IN RANGES

DEER-STALKER KILLED BY STRAY BULLET

COMPANION SEEKS HELP Special to THE SUN PALMERSTON N., Today. A tragic fatal accident occurred deep in the bush-clad Ruahine Ranges yesterday, as the resuit of which Ivo E, Cummerfield, a member of a well-known Apiti family, lost his life while deerstalking. It is understood that Cummerfieid’s companion, Albert Dick, mistook his grey coat for a deer, and shot him. The scene of the tragedy is seven miles into most difficult country from Table Plat, in the Apiti district, and about 35 miles from Palmerston North. Cummerfield and Ills friend Dick, who had been his companion on many such trips, had been up in the -ranges for three or four days. At about two o’clock yesterday afternoon Dick rushed into Table Flat and told the settlers of the accident. A doctor was immediately sent for, but in the meantime Dick and a party of settlers returned into the bush, intending to cut a path through it to bring the body back. Other parties joined them, and when the news spread through the district over 30 men were engaged in hacking a path over almost impassable country. The body was found about the winter snow-line. It is understood that Cummerfield had been struck In the groin by a soft-nosed bullet, that spread into the stomach. A start was made to bring the body back, the party cutting a v/ay through the bush with axes and slashers, but after carrying it some distance it was decided to wait until morning to bring it the rest of the distance.

Cummerfield is a single man, aged 32 years, and a soil of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Cummerfield, two early pioneers, and highly respected residents of the district.