A BRAVE FELLOW.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2713, 30 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A BRAVE FELLOW.

Tjij: " Olarkn " gold medal of the Humane Society of Australasia, for "the best ease of the year," was this year awarded to Denis Thomas CanniflV, of Hundabere, (Queensland, for saving a m sin's life under the circumstances here detailed, circumstances which show that this high distinction for personal bravery was exceedingly well earned : —

On the 22nd February, ISS'J, I'utc.r Airey. of South Bundaberg, Queensland, was sinking a well—then about 24 feet rleep— when hu became aware Mint foul air uas overcoming him, and gutting hold of the rope, he called out to three men on the top to haul him up. When about half-way up ho became insensible, and fell to the bottom. Denis Thomas Cauniffe then came to the well, and someone said, " Who will go down ? We cannot leave the man to die. there." Cauniffe said, " I will »o down." The men by the windlass hauled up the rope and bucket, and Canniffe was lowered to the bottom ; the foul air was so strong that he too fell down, apparently overcome. Someone emptied a bucket of water down on him, when he recovered a little, got hold of the rope, and was immediately hauled up, got hold of, ami assisted to the side of the well. Then someono said, "Will anybody fro down?" All except Canniire deeliued to go down, and he said, " I'll go down again." Someone said, "Don't you go without a rope round your waist, secure." He said, "All right ; put the rope on ;" ■and he himself prepared a rope to put round Airey at the bottom of the well. He was then lowered, having the rope to put round Airey, and appeared to think he had done so, when he fell down, but sang out, "Haul up." On hauling him up he had to bu assisted to the side ; he conl.l not speak for two or three minutes. Airey would have been hauled up with Canniffe this time, but the rope had slipped. Someone then paid, " Will anybody else go down ?" They all said they would not. CaunitFe said, " Yes ; I'll go down ; I'm not qoing to leave him there to die." Ciinniffe went down the third time, the rope fast round his waist, and a rope with him to put round Peter Airey. Canniffe this time got the rope round Airey securely, then he" was seen to fall with his head against the place out of which he had ascertained the foul air was coming. He was immediately hauled up insensible, and feet foremost, with Airey suspended just under him. Cauuiffe soon came to. Airey was thought to be dead, but after being insensible forty- eight hours, he was, under careful treatment, restored to life.