Dramatic surf rescue at Piha

Press, 28 September 1976, Page 5

Dramatic surf rescue at Piha

PA Auckland A life-saver spent 20 minutes pleading with an injured surfboard rider lying on rocks at Piha Beach to lower himself into the swirling current so that he could be rescued. The rider, bleeding from a smashed kneecap and clinging desperately to the rocks, eventually had to be pushed into the water. From there he was towed to safety by two members of the Piha Surf Lifesaving Club, Rob Railey and Brad Lucas. The 28-year-old board rider and a friend, both from Henderson, got into difficulties while surfing at the southern end of the beach. They owe their lives to the fact that the surf live-saving club was holding a working bee at the clubhouse, which is usually des-

i lerted at this time of the year. ! Mr Railey and Mr Lucas -1 were out on their boards in i a break from work when Mr r Railey decided to w;alk i: around the rocks. ; I The two Henderson men e had been washed, off their boards and caught in a strong 1 rip. One reached shore - safely, but the other was ;, dashed against the rocks. He d was clinging to a rock when e Mr Railey saw him. The sury fer was exhausted, and his a body was bruised and lacert> ated. Mr Railey swam to the i rock and was joined by an--1 other board rider, who had - paddled to the scene. Railey ej pleaded with the man to i. lower himself into the water s jso that he could be towed to safety. He could not move ’ either way, and had to be -‘taken into the water.