50 FEET DROP

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21229, 27 September 1940, Page 6

50 FEET DROP

FALL INTO RIVER PAINTER’S CRASH OFF BRIDGE FINE RESCUE FROM DROWNING VICTIM’S REMARKABLE ESCAPE Falling: 50 feet into the Waikato River from the archway of the Hamilton traffic bridge, a Hamilton Borough Council employee engaged upon the repainting of the structure had a remarkable escape from serious injury this morning. Just after the fall the prompt efforts of a passer-by rescued the man when he was in danger of drowning. The victim of the accident was:— Mr L. Reid, aged about 35, a married man, of Lake Avenue, Maeroa. Mr Reid has been employed upon the repainting of the traffic bridge for about six months. He was to be transferred to another task next week and to-day was his last day on the bridge. About 8 o’clock he climbed along the archway and was stationed almost at the highest point on the upstream side. On the opposite side was a fellow workman with whom Mr Reid was working moving steel tubing. Rescue Effort Succeeds As Mr Reid was moving one piece of steel he overbalanced and plunged to the river, about 50 feet below, clutching a length of about 20 feet of tubing. He fell heavily on his side, being knocked semi-conscious. He is not a swimmer, but in a remarkable manner he was able to maintain buoyancy as he drifted downstream, gradually becoming weaker as a result of the fall, shock, and the cold of the water. Immediately he fell, other workmen on the bridge called for assistance. One of the other painters was on the bridge decking but before he could run down to the river a passerby, Mr J. D. Pepper, a married man, age 29 years, employed by A. H. Franks Limited, Hamilton, left his bicycle on the bridge and ran to the rescue.

By this time Mr Reid was some distance downstream and had actually floated about 200 yards before Mr Pepper reached him after swimming some distance downstream fully clad, except for his boots and coat, which he discarded before entering the water. As Mr Pepper was swimming to the rescue, several of the painters employed on the bridge secured the lifeline erected 'near the Hamilton Rowing Club’s boathouse by the Hamilton Life-Saving Club. It was found that the line was slightly tangled and this occasioned a delay. Eventually, however, they were able to get the rescue apparatus to Mr Pepper, who would not otherwise have been able to reach the bank with Mr Reid. As it waSj both men were almost exhausted.

When the victim of the accident was ashore, Dr. W. R. Fea applied artificial respiration before Mr Reid was conveyed to the Waikato Hospital in a St. John Ambulance. His condition is reported from the hospital to be satisfactory, although he is suffering from shock. There are no apparent injuries, but an X-ray examination will be made.