TRAGEDY IN THE THAMES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17472, 5 June 1922, Page 9

TRAGEDY IN THE THAMES.

AUSTRALIAN'S HEROISM. (By Cable—Press Associationr— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Juno 2. j Frankie Burns, formerly middleweight boxing champion of Australia, who was staying at Thames Ditton with Sir E. Lucas, was awakened by cries from the river. He rushed to the riverside in his pyjamas, and found a canoe upset and two men struggling in the water. Burns plunged in and brought Captain Smith, of the Dragoon Guards, to safety. He then returned for the second man, but the latter sank before Burns reached lnm. Captiyn Smith, who was suffering from war wounds, would have been drowned, as he had exhausted his energy'm attempting to save his companion. _ Burns, describing the episode, eaid : «I am sorry I was asleep at the time, otherwise I would have been able to save both. I saw the upturned can<» Sty yards from the bank, and, though it was dark, I was just able to observe *L struggling men. After rescuing Captain Smith I went back for the other man, and dived under several times, but could not locate lum. ■ I -