Bathing Accident.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1692, 24 April 1886, Page 4

Bathing Accident.

Mr Robert Johnston had a very nar- i row escape from drowning yesterday. Messrs Seeker, Godfrey, Johnston, Hawkins, Richardson, and Bowers, wore enjoying a boating excursion up the Awapuni Lagoon, and had got übont half the distance of the lake when one of the party proposed they should have a swim. As the day was a warm one it was thought the immersion would be pleasant, not thinking that at this time of the year tlie water is always several degree's colder than during the summer weather. The first three gerittemen accordingly undressed m the boat and were soon m the water, apparently .thoroughly enjoying the swim. . The boat meantime was pulled over to one side of the lake, and while there it was noticed, that Mr Johnston appeared to be somewhat exhausted and wanted assistance. Before, however, the boat would reach him, Mr Seeker, who was a short distance off, saw how matters stood, and quickly struck Out for the spot where Johnston was struggling; on arriving; the latter had just gone done for the first time and had risen to the surface when Seeker caught hold of his arm and endeavoured to assist him towards the boat ; not succeeding m this attempt he then placed both his own arms underneath Johnston's, and m this way impeded and encumbered as he was, contrived to swim to the boat, where .with the assistance of those inside Mr Johnston wag taken aboard not much the worse for his adverituref beyond what had evidently caused the mishap, viz., a sudden chill. Mr Godfrey was also suffering somewhat m the same way but managed to swim ashdre before be was attacked as badly as the other. The way m which Mr Seeker, acted under the circumstances is deserving of the highest praise, as without his timely assistance Mr Johnston would have had small cliauce of being rescue^,..