GREYMOUTH.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 77, 22 June 1868, Page 149

GREYMOUTH.

NARROW ESCAPE EROM DROWNING.’ i * The Grey River Argus, of the 23rd May, says:—A young lad named Briinble had a very narrow escape from being swept out to sea on Thursday evening. He had started from the coal wharf at Cobden in a small flat-bottomed dingy to cross the river, which was running very strong. When about in midstream one of the gunwales gave way, and he could only use one oar, which to one so - inexperienced was perfectly useless. The current soon carried the boat into the most rapid part of the stream, and it was swept along at a fearful rate, the poor lad shouting an alarm at the top of his voice. . Although he was seen before he had reached Boundary street, ; there did hot happen to be any boats at that point, and it was feared: that he would be carried out over the bar. Before he had s 'reached the end of the Government township a .hdat ’Was put; off by Alec the Greek,. Mr Hansen, and Mr /Ashton, but there" was every fearing that they would not have bpen ajffie to overhaul him. Just

as he got opposite to the entrance of the Lagoon, a boat containing sheep happened to be coming down, and the boatmen, named Antonio and Frank, at once pulled with might and main to overtake him, which they did, not far from the bar, and pulled him into their boat, leaving his dingy to drift to destruction in the breakers. The poor lad had not been without presence of mind, as he had taken off his coat, vest, and shoes, in case he should have to make a jump and swim for it Great praise is due to the rescuers, for their exploit was by no means unattended with danger to themselves.