NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2222, 4 January 1921, Page 3

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

YOUNG AVOMAN’S PERILOUS

PLIGHT

A PLUCKY RESCUE

A narrow"escape from a drowning fatality occurred on lhe local ocean beach on Sunday afternoon, when the tide was ebbing. A young woman, Miss K. Boyne, of Palmerston N., was swimming in the breakers, when some one noticed that she was in difficulties. Messrs Alf. Ebbed, A. Baker and C. King had just, returned from the water when their attention was drawn to the young lady in distress, who was battling against the waves beyond the breakers. Ebbed immediately proceeded to the rescue, and got in touch with the young woman, who slated that she was exhausted. Ebbed warned

her not to grapple with him, and caught her by the wrist. Then the struggle began. The rescuer could not make any headway against the ebb tide, and looked for assistance from the shore. The pair floated and drifted a little north, holding 1 heir breath as the waves and swell broke over them. Ehhelt noticed Arthur Baker enter the water to come to the rescue, hul to his horror realised that he, too, was ju difficulties. Baker's uncle, Ah- C. King, went to the rescue, and the pair were almost exhausted when two horsemen rode into the breakers and threw the bridles to them, and finally got them out. In (lie meantime Ebbed and the young*lady were about spent, hut the former encouraged the young woman to buck up. as the breakers broke over them. After a lapse* of time Ehhetl was able to touch bottom, hut owing to lhe ehl) could not make headway, it ml called lor assistance. Alter further superhuman efforts he managed to battle into shallow water, •and finally reached the shore, both thoroughly exhausted. To Ebbetl's heroic action and coolness the young-woman owes her life, which fact she gratefully acknowledges.

The incident was witnessed by a large number of spectators, who were loud in their praise of the rescuer, Miss Boyne i- reported to be an excellent swimmer, but on lliis*occasion she overtaxed her strength. Kbbolt’s act ion should be brought under the notice of the Royal Humane Society for public recognition, and we hope the necessary steps will lie taken at once in this connection. This is the second occasion upon which Ibis young man has assisted in .saving life. About six years ago he went to the assistance of two lads who were in difficulties in lhe river, and- managed, with the aid of a dinghy, to rescue them. This was the occasion on which the late Mr Teviotdale lost his life in an attempt to save the lad Morgan. The youth Edwards was struggling in the water with Morgan when Ehbetj launched a dinghy, and, with a piece of wood a- a paddle, rescued them. In the meantime Mr Teviotdale sank. For (his act; the citizens of Foxtoii presented Ebbed with a gold medal. On the way out to Miss Bovne, Ebbett saw a lad in difficulties, hut he said he could manage, and this lad was subsequently assisted by Mr li. Campbell, of AYellington. ’TVe" lire informed that there has been several narrow escapes from drowning on the beach through bathers going too far out when the tide is at the ebb.

Steps should be taken to provide life-saving apparatus and the formation of a life-saving corps at the seaside. *