ESCAPE FROM DROWNING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10670, 15 February 1926, Page 4

ESCAPE FROM DROWNING

EXCITEMENT AT SUMNER. (Per TPr*ss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 14. A "make-believe" developed into a grim reality in the junior life-saving contest at Sumner on Saturday. In the end timely rescues were made by a motor boat outside the bar, and the unconscious swimmer was resuscitated.

The trouble began when a North Beach team's subject mistook the direction of the buoy. For a few minuteshis team waited, thinking he would correct his course, but this he did not do, and eventually a team was sent out from the competition. J. Richardson (belt-man) and G. Brown (support)made good time for their subject,' but soon found that in spite of ,vigorous swimming he was going further out to sea. By this time everybody on shore was concerned, about the safety of all three lads. Nearly two reels of lifeline were out and the North Beach subject was almost out of sight. ThreeSunnier men (D. Richardson, J. Sutherland, and R. Riaekmore) then rushed into the . surf and D. Wilson donned another belt, and took a line out from' a point nearer the 1 men. Urgent messengers were sent also to call out the lifeboat, for at least three of the swimmers were in real danger. When the suspense of the watching: crowd was becoming acute the motor boat Pacifio was obtained and made fall speed over the breakers of the bar, Shell, the subject, was first picked upand he collapsed when hauled aboard. Richardson had just readied him and had supported him for some moments. These two, with G. Brown, were. brought back to the pier. Meanwhile J. Sutherland, exhausted, was helped ashore in a dazed condition. Blackmore, who had taken over the North Beach Belt, was unable to manage thegreat length of line behind him, and hesignalled the Pacific, to be picked up. The signal was mistaken and when he was pulled ashore he was unconscious and in a bad way. In an hour after persistent resuscitation treatment, and with the application of heat from half a dozen- hot water bottles, blankets and rugs, he revived . and was Jatejr helped home.