FALL OVER CLIFF

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 27, 29 December 1932, Page 3

FALL OVER CLIFF

AGED MAN’S NARROW ESCAPE. AUCKLAND, Dec. 27. A fortunate escape from serious injuries was experienced by Mr Thomas Johnson, aged 79, when lie fell over a 30ft. cliff at Motuilii Island. After rolling about 12ft. down a steep face, Mr Johnson managed to clutch some gorso bushes, which held his weiglrt, although both hands were torn as a result of clinging so desperately to the thorny plant. , . Mr Johnson had arrived at Motuilii with members of the family to spend the day, and after lunch ho went for a walk by himself, and was standing near a cliff-edge when his hat was blown off, and carried over the edge. Mr Johnson attempted to climb down to where his hat was entangled in some bushes, and lost his footing, and rolled down the cliff. He succeeded in grasping some small bushes and stopped his fall just before rolling over the edge, and dropping about 30ft. to the rocks below.

Suffering considerable pain from a blow lie had received on the head, Mr Johnson was unable to climb up the cliff again, and he called loudly for help. After a few minutes his cries were heard by a young man who had been sitting nearby, and who climbed down to where Mr Johnson was clinging. With considerable difficulty the young man pulled Mr Johnson to the top. Mr Johnson’s condition was not serious enough to warrant his admission to hospital.