DROWNING RESCUE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1932, Page 6

DROWNING RESCUE

CARPENTER’S BRAVE ACTION

WAITAKI RIVER INCIDENT.

DUNEDIN, August 14

A courageous act and one that merits recognition is reported to have been per-ormed. at the Waitaki hydro-elec-trite works bn Saturday; when Janies L/ Johnston,, -a carpenter, plunged into tho..Waifaki..Ri.ver a fellow worker, R; Grimwood; and helped him to safety. Both men were working in a punt on the river nea r a point where a bridge is being built-at the head of the dam. •• GriiUWood- was leaning over, .the side of the punt releasing a snag,’ and when the snag suddenly gave way he was precipitated into the river. He is a poor swimmer, and without a moment’s hesitation Johnston fully-cloth-ed plunged into the rushing wateis to his- companion’s assistance, at the same time calling out words of encouragement, and telling Grimwood to keep his head up. The temperature of the water m the snowf-fed river was 35 degrees,, btfb the rescuer caught Grimwood 90 or 100 yards downstream and assisted him to safety. It was a most courageous act and one which only a powerful swimmer could have' accomplished. Bystanders said that buf for Johnston’s promptitude Grimwood would certainly have been drowned. Particulars ’of the occurrence have been foiwarded to the Royal Humane Society Of New Zealand.