Girl Rescues Three from Muriwai Surf

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 907, 26 February 1930, Page 1

Girl Rescues Three from Muriwai Surf

CARRIED OUT TO SEA ONE MAN UNCONSCIOUS Three persons were saved from drowning by the bravery of an 18-year-old Devonport girl, Miss Eila Munro, when several members of a party were perilously situated in the surf at Muriwai Beach on Sunday morning. At least four persons had to be taken from the surf. A YOUNG woman. Miss Frances Kell, of Crown Street, Royal Oak, and two men, Mr. Jack Elliott, of Ranfurly Avenue, Epsom, and Mr. Frank Cother, of Grey Lynn, were saved by the efforts of Miss Munro. Miss Munro is an extremely powerful swimmer and the value of her bravery can be realised in the knowledge that most of the members of the party, about 15, were either unable to swim or were pool* swimmers. Efforts are now being made to secure recognition of the girl’s bravery from the Royal Humane Society. A story of tremendous difficulties In the surf was related to The Sun this morning by Miss Munro. She made three swims a considerable distance into the surf to effect the rescues. When she brought the surfers near the beach assistance was given by a companion, Miss Dorothy Watt, of Devonport, and several men in bringing them ashore. GIRL SAVED FIRST The turning of the tide when the party was surfing before lunch caused a heavy undertow, Miss Munro explained. Those in the water immediately were forced to struggle to regain the beach, and Miss Munro saw Miss Ethel Smith assisted ashore by other members of the party before she waded out to assist Miss Kell and Messrs. Elliott and Cother. When Miss Munro reached the vicinity of the struggling surfers, she was directed by the two men to assist Miss Kell ashore first. This was accomplished after the greatest difficulty and Miss Munro struck out into the surf once more only on being assured that Miss Kell was being taken to the beach by other bathers, who waded out to waist-depth. The second rescue, in which Mr. Cother was brought within reach of the helpers, was made after an immense struggle. Mr. Cother was exhausted when brought on the beach. Miss Munro, although she was being affected by the battering from the waves, pluckily went out the third time. DISAPPEARED UNDER WAVES “As I got near Jack Elliott,” she said, “he disappeared for several waves. At last I saw an arm above the surface. It was impossible to dive for him and he was swept within reach by several heavy waves.” Mr Elliott was unconscious when he was secured by Miss Munro, and she was exhausted when she reached shore several hundred yards up the beach. She says she and Mr. Elliott would probably not have regained the beach without the assistance of two taen who struck out into the surf. It was three hours before Mr. Elliott was restored to consciousness. Mr. B. Cook, of Onehunga, applied artificial respiration continually. Miss Munro quickly recovered from her experience and Mr. Elliott, who was taken quickly to the city, is now practically recovered. A lifeline kept near the area was not noticed by the members of the party in their agitation. Only a few persons were on the beach at the time.