A THRILLING RESCUE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 6

A THRILLING RESCUE.

YOUNC GIRL IN SURF. fP«r Press Association.. AUCKLAND, January 19. A thrilling rescue in the surf occurred at Milford late yesterday afternoon, when the efforts of three men saved a young girl from drowning. Unusually high seas, • fast receding tide and treaciierous currents increased the risk of the rescuers, who battled desperately to reach the girl. While surfing at the Castor Bay end, Miss Maisy Purvis, aged eighteen, was caught in a strong undertow which swept her swiftly out to sea, and within a few minutes she was washed 300 yards from the nearest bather. Scores were bathing, and when the crirl's plight was noticed two senior members of the Milford Life-saving Club Colin Bacon and Thomas Jdilhcker, raced along the beach, only to see Miss Purvis disappear. . ' Hillieker swam to the spot where the girl was last seen, and Bacon went for a life-belt and reel. Watchers saw the girl reappear, only to sink again. Just as Bacon arrived with three juvenile members of the club, .Herbert Warbrick, of Milford, waded into the sea, fully clothed and swam out to Hillieker. . „ , ~: „ Excitement ran high when Miss Furvis was seen again above the waves. She was grasped by Hillieker. Although burdened bv his waterlogged attire, Warbrick soon gained the side oi the rescuer and rescued. Together the men kept the girl, who- had by this time lost consciousness, afloat until the arrival of Bacon with a tow-line. Willing hands pulled readily, and within a. few minutes all four were ashore. It was half-an-hour before the girl was brought round., The beach inspector said that the tide was the worst he had seen for years.