SURVIVOR’S GALLANTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1928, Page 4

SURVIVOR’S GALLANTRY

MICRO re ATTEMPTS AT HK.SCUK. BLKNHKIAI, T'd). 28. A feature of the dreadful accident at Kttapeke. which resulted in the deaths of .Mrs James Hickey and her two children, is the gallantry displayed hy AIV B. West, of Nelson, who was a member of the party. When the ear rushed over the bank and crashed on the edge of the lagoon before toppling over into deep water, where it was completely submerged, Ml- West was thrown clear, and though badly shaken by his fall, at once set about the rescue of his companions. Though the car was completely under water the electric headlights continued to burn for some hours, and by this dim light Mr West was enabled to see a figure floundering in the water, and calling for help, he at once plunged | in and brought the lad. Mervyn Stewart. who was injured, ashore. ; Then he dived in to rescue Mr Hick-: ey. who was pretty far through when Air West leached him. He took All Hickey to the further bank of tin. stream. By this time Mr ('. A. Maule’s eat had arrived, and had been stopped by the lad Stewart, and its „ headlights having been turned on to the spot where the wrecked car was submerged. Mr West dived repeatedly in an at:empt to release Mrs Mickey and her •hildren. who were believed to he imirisoned in the wreck. The great leptli of water, however, and the ex:reine cold, prevented his achieving ill'.'tiling. At hen the rescue parly aiived later. Air Hickey was pulled tcross the stream hy a rope, and Jesses «. Ruekft'ft rid W'dls. llliin■ i others, dived, again an ! -gain nan endeavour to r"ach the interior f the c-r iit.i v. V >ut sue. ess. It was lot until the ear it-'-ll v. as pulled out f the water that the b idies ol Afrs lickey and her daughter were found a the rear compartment and it was wo hours later before grappling irons nought t!ie body of th‘ little l*>y to here. The of ih* \ii i .jus i s to t<iko lace at Nelson. ,