Tangled In Belt At Surf Titles

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31002, 7 March 1966, Page 12

Tangled In Belt At Surf Titles

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH. Hundreds of spectators watched a dramatic rescue when Paekakariki surfer, 18-year-old Miss Diane Bly, got tangled up with the belt line in the final of the women's sixman rescue and resuscitation championship at the /New Zealand surf lifesaving championships at Oakura Beach, near New Plymouth. Miss Bly was swimming beltman for her team when she got into difficulties in the heavy surf. Mr R. D. Weir, New Plymouth. a boat judge, heard Miss Blv call out for help. Mr Weir said that the boat was brought in as close as possible before he jumped overboard, and swam a hundred yards to rescue Miss Bly. “She was tied up with the line and the belt had gone around her back, she could not pull the pin out to release herself,” he said. “She was just about at her last ebb when I got to her,” Mr Weir said.

Miss Bly was in a shocked condition by the time the shore was reached. She was attended by the St. John Amublance Brigade. An Island Bay surfer. Wayne Martin, had a narrow escape from serious injury when the club's surf boat got caught in the shore break during the championships. Martin, at stroke, got hit on the head and was knocked unconscious when the boat broadsided and turned over. Other crew members brought Martin ashore where he was attended by St. John Ambulance men.

Martin had a bad gash on the head. After first aid treatment he was brought to a doctor in New Plymouth.