YOUTH DROWNED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 38, 25 November 1940, Page 3

YOUTH DROWNED

BROTHER’S SWIM FOR HELP. . LAD OF 15 GOES 2\ MILES. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, November 24. A holiday sailing trip had a tragic ending on Saturday afternoon, when a 14-foot boat capsized in the Tamaki Straits near Howick, and one of the four occupants, Norman Edward Nilsen, aged 17J, of St. Heliers, was drowned.

Two other occupants of the boat, Betty Ashford, aged 17, of Glendowio, and Desmond Hayward, aged 18, of St. Heliers, were rescued through the gallant action, of Raymond Nilsen, aged 15, a brother of the youth who was drowned. Raymond Nilsen swam 2£ miles to the shore for help.

Glowing tributes to his courage and endurange were paid by yachtsmen assisting in the subsequent rescue. “It was a feat that must rank as one of the finest in the history of the harbour,” stated an experienced yachtsman. 'A strong wind was blowing off-shore and Nilsen had to battle an hour and a-lialf before lie reached the shore. He collapsed on reaching shallow water. Restoratives had to be applied for some time before he could tell of the plight of his companions, who were morel than three hours in the water before they were rescued. A distressing feature was that the boy’s feat was unavailing in saving his brother, who was affected by exposure and was unable to retain his t hold on the overturned boat.

The other.youth, Hayward, supported the girl Ashford throughout their long ordeal, and both were in a state of collapse when taken on the rescue boat.