On the Wings of the Wind.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7758, 9 March 1905, Page 3

On the Wings of the Wind.

SUN'S .SENSATIONAL FLIGHT. Thu terrific wind, which swept across Baithhurst on a recent Tuesdid other things besides make the dust fly. It picked up a roof, with a heavy man on it, whirled it round a hit, and finally dropped it at the rear ol' a hotel sixty yards away. UA-ing the storm, Mr Elliott, a local 'bus proprietor, whose weight runs to Something 1 iFee 15 stone, climbed on to the roof of a stable of thu Grand Hotel, of which he is lessee, to fasten down some loose sheets of iron. The wind picked up the roofing alyout 50ft long and 20ft wide, with Mr Elliott on top., and raised him in the air for fuily 70 feet. The roofing then descended fpr some distance, but again soared •skywards, and was; carried about (50 yards in an easterly direction, over a couple of yards, eventunllv falling in the Royal Hotel poultry yard. As it travelled in the air (says a local paper) it inclined 'to one side and alter it fell the yard was strewn with pieces of timber, etc., in"till directions. When Mr Elliott was hurled to the ground a portion of the rooling fell on top of him, The injured man was conveyed to the Koyal Hotel, where lie was attended to by Dr. W. I\ Bassctt. Ilis examination showed that Mr Elliott had had a marvellous escape from serious injury, if not from death. The back of his head was- lacerated, and there were a few .scratches on the face, and he experienced a stinging sensation in the side, as if caused by fractured ribs. An ejo-witness of the alTair describes Mr Elliott's escape as a most miraculous one. He saw the roof fly into the air, nearly as high as the parapet of the Grand Hotel. It seemed to remain stationary for a moment or two, balanced on end,. Mr Elliott clinging to the uppermost edge, with his feet extended up in the air. The roof seemed to descend a liitle, when a fresh gust of wind came, turned it steadily over, and carried it away into the Koyal Hotel poultry yard. The wind steadied the roof in its descent, otherwise it would have crushed its human burden to pieces.