A Sensational Incident.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 173, 2 August 1901, Page 2

A Sensational Incident.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

A seafaring man named A. Clark, engaged as a cook on board the .brigantine Aratapu, bad a narrow escape from drowning in the Turanganui river last evening at about eight o’clock. His vessel was lying at the Kaiti wharf, and ho had crossed the river in the ship’s boat. At the hour mentioned, when returning he was in the act of stepping from the wharf into the boat, and by some means fell into the river. Ho had sufficient presence of mind to cling on to the side of the boat and cry for help. The boat in the meantime drifted into the middle of the stream. The man’s cries for assistance wore heard by Mr James O’Dowd, a resident of the Kaiti, who immediatly gave the alarm, and securing the asssistance of one of the crew of the Aratapu, put off in a boat to the drawing man’s assistance. The latter could be seen endeavoring to cling on to the bottom of a boat, and after some trouble they were able to get him out of the water and into their own boat, although not before he was in a much exhausted state. Medical assistance was at once sought, a messenger being despatched to Dr. Craig’s residence, which was close by. Dr. Cxaig was not at home, but a telephone message was sent from there to Dr. Hughes, who at once proceeded to the wharf. The man, although much exhausted when taken out of the river, soon recovered, and by the time the doctor arrived, was out of danger. Dr. Hughes examined Clarke, and with the exception of a number of slight bruises, found him to be none the worse for his immersion. Great credit is due to Mr James O’Dowd for the ready assistance which he rendered, as but for his prompt action Clarke would probably have lost his life.