FALL FROM LAUNCH

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1933, Page 3

FALL FROM LAUNCH

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. TWO HOURS IN ; ICY WATER, A "tragedy-was feared in Sydney the otner uay wlieir a n empty motor skiff Avais. pieiked up outside the Heads. The engine was still running, and fishing gear and a hat iatide indicated that it had been occupied. Shortly aftorAvards, Colonel Wilson, of Bondi; avus rescued‘by .the Harbour Trust iirefloav TTuvius, after he had been in the Avater for nealy two hours. Early in ' the afternoon , Colonel Wilson, who irs a keen fisherman, left Rush, cutter Bay and proceeded outside the Heads. .Shortly 'after 2 oclock he Avas casting some lines out Avhen he last his-balance in the hoavy savcll and fell overboard. The' engine of. the launch Avas still, running, and, although he swam frantically after it, lie was unable to catch Up to it. He remained afloat .for some time, endeavouring to attract'attention,' and at ohe 'stage'a launch passed'Avihin 103yds/ Avithout hearing his cries. Gradually the immersion in the icy water commenced to affect the unfortunate man, and he suffered severely from cram?. After an hour in the Avater To could only remain afloat with the utmost difficulty, and had almost giA r en up hope of rescue. Toward 4 o’clock, Colonel Wilson said later, lie was in despair. In his weakened state he sank beneath the surface several times. At that hour the Pluvius was leaving the harbour Avith a dredge in t-o Av. The swimmer Avas sighted by a member -of the creAv, and the piaster,- Captain G. Parker, went to his assistance. 1

When rescued Colonel Wilson was in a. very bad state from the effects of his long immersion, but by the time he was landed at Double Bay he had almost recovered. He had been in the habit of making fishing expeditions outside the Heads, generally with a companion, but he was quite, accustomed to handle the, launch without assistance, and had anticipated no difficulty. The heavy swell had been the cause of the accident. The crew of the plnvius considered that Colonel Wilson had been very fortunate to have escaped alive, as the waters in the region of the Hoads are infested bv sharks. The launch, which is a Ifift. motorskill, owned by a R-ushcutter Bay boat proprietor, w.'g picked up bv some men in another launch, before .Colonel Wilson was rescued.