Ankle gashed by axe

Taupo Times, Volume 20, Issue 7, 28 January 1971, Page 3

Ankle gashed by axe

On the first fine morning in the bush four days after the men had first entered the rugged Ureweras — the prospects for the search for signs of the huia were more promising. It was decided that before leaving camp a pile of dry wood should be cut for a fire on the return later that night. The men had to wait for some time for the swollen Anini Stream to subside before they could start their journey upstream to the headwaters. It was while chopping the last few pieces that Peter Chard severely gashed his left ankle when the axe deflected dff a wet piece of knotty timber. Plans to explore the headwaters had to be immediately dropped and the men started sending calls for urgent assistance over the radio transmitter. A heavy box of medical equipment had been carried in by the party and the wound was cleaned and dressed. For approximately 24 hours a Mayday call was transmitted, but it was not until after midday the following day that an amateur radio

operator in Timaru picked up the call and relayed it on urgently to Gisborne and Napier. In the meantime another member of the party had successfully crossed the swollen river and the. rope was sent across. Bob and Ron crossed and were on the other bank when the call was answered by the Timaru operator. Ron considered a helicopter would be necessary to carry out the wounded tramper. Rescue operations were swung into action with the co-operation of both Gisborne and Napier police. A party of trampers from Gisborne, including Dr McKay, set off to Waimaha Station and then to the campsite, a solid seven hour tramp. The doctor stitched Peter's wound and confirmed Ron's belief, that a helicopter would be necessary to take him out of the dense bush and to hospital for further treatment. He carried Peter across the flooded Anini Stream to where a helicopter arrived on the other side. Bob said that it was a magnificent achievement on the part of the helicopter pilot who landed his craft in a restricted space. "There wasn't much room to spare," he said. Despite the unfortunate accident, Bob said that the trip was extremely interesting and he saw one or two strange birds that he had not seen before. "Certainly I would go back if the chance came agai.n," he said.