Deckert’S Escape

Saved by Police Boy When Edie Track Collapsed

THE 23-years-old transport contractor, Mr. Fred. Deckert, who has been famous for three years for the manner in which he defies death on the Wau-Edie Creek mule-track, had the closest call of his colourful career a few weeks ago.

Deckert left Edie Creek with a load of timber for Wau. A mile down the road a landslide overwhelmed his lorry, and hurled Deckert down the slope at the side of the road.

The overturned truck, with its heavy load of timber was being slowly forced by the fallen earth towards where Deckert lay, when a native policeman, at the risk of his life, climbed down to Deckert and held him.

A minute later the timber was swept over the incline, and crashed into the valley, a thousand feet below. The police boy clung to Deckert, and managed to pull him out of the way, just as Mr. Baden Wales, of the Cleopatra mine, with a large party of natives, reached the spot.

No sooner had Deckert been hauled to safety than a large part of the mountain side gave way with a roar, and the avalanche plunged into the depths of the canyon.

Deckert was treated at Wau Hospital for minor injuries.

It is intended to report the bravery of the police boy to the authorities.

EDITORIAL NOTE.—The editor of this journal read the foregoing report with considerable feeling.

It is not very long since he travelled with Fred Deckert on his lorry, between Wau and Edie Creek.

The track creeps along the face of frightful precipices; and the editor’s hair literally rose as he gazed over the side of the swaying, bucking lorry into the depths of awful chasms. That country is perpetually soaked by rainstorms, and no one can explain why whole sections of the track, under the weight of the lorry, do not slide away into eternity.

Deckert started this hazardous transportation, with his famous “Bitza” lorry, about three years ago; and how he since has escaped a horrible death in the canyons is one of the mysteries which only a kindly Providence can explain.

A graded road, suitable for motor traffic, has been opened between Wau and Edie Creek. Deckert, nowadays, will find life very boring.