A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 7

A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

" MEN IN THE SURF. TIMELY AND PLUCKY RESCUE. . (By TdcgTa.pli.—Press Association.) Dargavllle, October 28. ' A serious tragedy was narrowly averted on Labour Day when Edward Browne, William- M'Dowell, and Henry Mitchel•son, while fishing oil tho coast, xuid working their nets in tho surf, were carried out by a strong backwash into tho current. . Mitchelson was entangled in tho net, and Browne,' in a desperate struggle to get ashora, became (eshyustcd, but,, nevertheless tried t-o carry put a ropo to Jlitehelson to pull him in. Ho was, however, too overcome to effect his purpose. A young man, named Albert Nield, seoing the plight of the drowning men, dashed to the rescue, and, with great difficulty, brought M'Dowell in through tho surf apparently dead. Ho dashed in a second timo and rescued Mitchelson, who was then uncpnscious. Mr. Ross, a visitor to Dargaville, who wqs riding in tho neighbourhood, saw. tho men in straits, and rode into tho water and tried to get Mitchelson on his horse, but the animal got away and left/him, too, struggling in tho surf. Ho is unablei to swim, but lio managed to seize his horse, which was trying to got ashore, and, after 6omo time, got to safety. Nurse Bassett, who was camping in tho vicinity, s? K w the disaster, and arrived in time to render expert service. Sho directed the process of resuscitation. Mitchelson regained consciousness in half an hour, -but it was> two hours before M'Dowell was brought round. Both men were taken to Nurso Bassott's camp, and remained under her care nil night. Tho heroism of Nield is highly praised, and will probably bo brought under tho notice of the Humano Society. Ross also acted nobly, but the nurse's services proved tho real saving of tho men.