Award For Rescuer

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31094, 24 June 1966, Page 12

Award For Rescuer

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 23. The George Medal has been awarded to Mr Anthony Eric Johns, of Bell Block, New Plymouth, for his part in a shark rescue at Oak u r a Beach on January 8.

Mr Johns, who is 19, risked his life to bring Rae Marion Keightley to shore on his surfboard.

One of her legs was savaged to the bone at the thigh and calf, and the other was torn at the ankle.

The girl is believed to have died while being brought in. Mr Johns said he saw the turmoil in the water as the shark attacked, but at first thought the girl was only playing. He and two friends had been surfing within 40 yards of the girl for 20 minutes before the incident.

One of the surfers spotted the attack and yelled a warning before heading for the beach with the other rider, leaving only Mr Johns in the vicinity.

“She was about 40 yards away when I realised I was alone. I suppose I just automatically turned to go across to Rae,” he said. “When I heard the screams and saw the blood-stain on the water—l was scared then.

“I guess I knew someone had to help her—there was only me.

“She talked to me at first. She kept saying over and over, ‘Oh please help me, help me.’ “I dragged her on to my surfboard and was lucky enough to catch two good waves to bring me into shallow water. It wasn’t till then as I began to feel a little better that I realised how frightened I had been. “As I was going across to Rae I saw a grey shadow in the water pass under me. I had started out and didn’t stop to think that what I was doing could have put my own life in danger.

“She was keeping herself afloat somehow when I reached her, treading water somehow, I suppose. “I suppose I was lucky—l didn’t have any trouble getting her on the board. “When I saw her on the beach it was terrible—l never want to see anything like it again,” he said. In March it was announced >that the Royal Humane Society awarded Mr Johns its gold medal. The George Medal is the second highest award for gal-

lantry open to civilians in the British Commonwealth. It was instituted in 1940 by King George VI.