A TRYING ADVENTURE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1660, 29 January 1913, Page 5

A TRYING ADVENTURE.

:~ -o - . A launch party of six which left Auckland on Saturday -attornoori'for JUotu-, tapu wero involved in a trying adventure and'an exciting rescue when abreast of Mount Kangitoto. One of those aboard: was Andrew Cuthbertson, a young man who had tho misfortune to fall overboard. William .Larson, who was at the wheel, noticed that Cuthbertson' was in difficulties. Hastily divesting himself of his clotnmg ho.dived overboard. Just before, no readied the drowning man: ho noticed him sink,' but making a great effort Larson dived towards the spot Whore ho had disappeared and succeeded in grasping his hair and, bringing him to tho surfaco., By. this time, Maud,-.an-other of tho party,.had come to Larsen's assistance, • and between them they-sup-"pcrted Cuthbertson tor nearly ,tem-min-utes. -A.line was thrown to the\men in, tho water. This was' secured by Larsen, who at once tied it round Cuthbertson's body under his arms. The men on board then commenced to pull Cuthbertson towards'the launch, but'just as he came alongside and before they could reach him ho was caught . in tho swirl of water and dashed against .tho propeller blades, . - being ." seriously cut' abo.it the thighs. Ho was taken from this perilous position with some difficulty .■and. hauled- into the cock-pit 'on the boat in an apparently lifeless, condition. ; In tho meantimo Larsen and Maud regained the launch, and for a while were so exhausted as a result of, their efforts in supporting Cuthbertson that.they wero unable to.'exert themselves or attempt to bring him round; Une or two of' tho' petty: know something of first-aid methods, but. although, they tried many of tho approved restoratives in quick succession it was a quarter of an hour'betoro Cuthbertson showed any signs or lifo. As scon ,hs,.'he was sufficiently recovered a start was niado on tho'return trip to Auckland. :,-.