BOY RESCUED FROM DROWNING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 9, 26 January 1937, Page 8

BOY RESCUED FROM DROWNING

-Press Association. )

Bishop's Daughter Swims To His Aid STRUGGLE IN BIG SURF

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. But for the heroic efforts of Miss Alison West-Watson, daughter of the Bishop of Christchurch, and Mr. George Thomas, a Wellington City Council employee, a tragedy would have occurred at Titahi Bay on Satur- ! day afternoon when a boy aged "twelve was snatched out into a heavy sea by a strongi set. For about three-quarters of an hour the rescuers struggled in the high surf and a treacherous current before they and the boy were brought ashore by men iu a rowingboat. A boy named Hall, who lives with his parents at Lower Hutt, was bathing near the rocks at the north end of the bay when he was dragged out of his depth. His cries atracted the attention of bathers and picnickers, and Mrs. Thomas went in -atter iiim, but Mrs. Thomas was soon in difficulties and had to return to the shore with the help of a rope. Miss West-Watson foiiowed Mr. Thomas into the surf, and after they had reached the boy the thi'ee of thcrn were carried into the bay for about half a mile. Attempts were made to launch a rowing-boat from the beach, but the men aboard could not manage the craff in the heavy sea. A life-line was brought from another pait of tne beach by car, and four men were this time successful in gettiug through the breakers with the boat. In the meantime Miss West-Watson and Mr. Thomas were taking turns at keeping the boy's head above water. After a hard struggle the bcat reached the swimmers and the boy was taken aboard first, Miss West-Watson and Mr. Thomas following. When the shore was reached the boy was unconscious and Mr. Thomas was very exhausted, but Miss West-Watson had borne the ordeal amazingly well, as she had been mainiy responsible for preventing loss of life before the arrival of the boat. Miss West-Watson was indisposed later in the day, but shd has now rccovered. and will luave tor the south this evening with th*. Bishop. There is a warning bell and a lifeline at Titahi Bay, but no life-saver is in charge and tlie bell was rung on S^turday without effect. Ihe bov \»as not in a sufficiently serious condition to need hospital treatment He ard his reseuers were given Iirst aid before the arrival of lnedical assistancer-