SCHOOLBOY'S GALLANTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1918, Page 5

SCHOOLBOY'S GALLANTRY.

RESCUE OF A DROWNING-'MAN. A rescue that would have' been ar«red» it to expert adults was effected aUltew Brighton on Friday morning last by*twd Christ's College boys. About 11 o'clock a man who was swimming near the'piei got into difficulties. The tide was nm- ' ning out, and there were strong current* swirling at the spot. Seeing that th< man was drowning, N. Batchelor, aged 13 years, went to his rescue. He leached the drowning man, who was strugjgfing violently, and several times secured a hold, and, in spite of his struggles, turned him on his back in order that he might tow him ashore. But the boy was not strong enough to hold the man, who on every occasion broke the grip and turned on his rescuer, dragging him beneath the surface. Batchelor, an expert swimmer, and a member of the New Brighton Surf Club, continued his efforts for some time, always releasing himself , from the man's desperate clutches, but being unable to hold him long enough to take him ashore against the strong outward current. Seeing'that Batchelor waa having a desperate struggle, P. Grant, another Christ's College boy, and also'a member of the Surf Club, went to his assistance, and between them the. boys managed to bring the mau in some' little distance, towards the.beach. Then two men linked hands, and managed to reach those in the water. The bather was exhausted when brought to the beach, but was later able to proceed to his home. A Christchureh paper Buys the action of the two boys is one of the pluckiest ill the history of the beach. To struggle, as Batchelor did, against a mau at least twice his weight and strength, otid'ita continue his efforts in spite of repeated duckings, with the current taking him further and further from safety, called for courage and ability of no mean order.