SURF RESCUE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18919, 7 February 1927, Page 8

SURF RESCUE.

THRILLS AT SUMNER.

WOMAN'S PRESENCE OF MIND.

FLOATBD TILL RESCI ERB ARRIVED.

A thrlliiiig rescue took place at fluraner about 11 o'clock on Sattfrday morning, during the ebb tide, when Mrs W. H. Nicholson, wife Of the Mayor of Sumner, Was rosctied from drowning. Only her presence of mind in floating on her back when Bhe found herself in difficulties, saved lior from death. iMrs Nicholson was bathing in the surf on the main beach, opposite Grafton streel, within a few hundred yards of Cave Rock. Some other bathers nearby noticed that sho wns in difficulties, and immediately gave the alarm, tltc bell at the Surf Club pavilion and the siren at the life-boat station both being sounded. A large crowd gathered, and a young man, hamed Jack Bailey, aged about sixteen years, tried to effect a reßCile, but owing to the strong undertow was compelled to return to the shore. With the aid of the belt he went out again aild succeeded in reaching Mrs Nicholson and commenced to bring her in, but had to let go on account of the people on the beach drag' girig in the line t6b quickly. He at* tempted to go out again, but had tO give in, as by this time he was haustedMr Cyril Allen made the nest attempt, but had to give up when just out of his depth, as the undertow Was too strong. He was also hampered by the fact that be was unable to see Mrs Nicholson. However, he rushed round to the lifeboat Station, and went out in a boat. Meanwhile Mrs Njchelsoo, who Was not a good swimmer, displayed great courage and presence of mind, and could be seen floating in the deep water, a considerable distance from tho shore, while the crowd, Which was in* creasing all the time, stOod by helpless. The surf running was particularly dangerous on Saturday morning, and Mrs Beadel, a friend of Mrs Nicholson, wanted to go out to save her friend, but thOse standing by would not allow her to. By this time practically nil hope had been abandoned, when Mr John Browne, a storekeeper at Sumner, rushed down to the beach, and taking tho life-line, dashed into the water fully clothed, With the exception of his cOat. By this time MM Nicholson had been itt difficulties for nearly half an hour, but cOuld still be Been floating a good way from the shore. Mr Browne succeeded at length in reach' ing Mrs Nicholson, although cOnsid' erably hampered by his clothes. He managed to get hold of her and signalled to the reel man to pull him in. By now the dinghy H6po- from the lifeboat station, manned V Messrs 0. Bow< man and C. Hincs was only a few yards away, but Mr Browne had to let Mrs Nicholson go, aS lie WaS dhablo tO drag her With him. Ho signalled to \he reel crew to Cease pulling, and went after Mrs Nicholson again, being able to hold her up until they were rescued by the dinghy, which was then rowed into shallow .water. Beverw swimmers, including Mr J. S. Comes, were by this time able td assist, and helped to carry Mrs Nicholson to the beach. Considerable anxiety was felt as to whether the dinghy codld aVold being capsized by the breakers, but fortunately got back safely. The lifeboat rescue, with a full m«w, alio came round to tho scene 0* the rescue, but by this time Mr* Nicholson had been saved. % ... When Mrs Nichoteon reached th* beach, she Was thoroughly exhausted, but respiratory measures were not need* ed, as she'very quickly recovered, and was-Able to be takeh to her home fat Grafton street. It was undoubtedly her -presence of mind, in floating after sh4 had got into difficulties, which saved her life. Bailey Wis Übout tho only strong swimmer On tho beach at the time, practically all the Other bathers being women and children. Mr Browne's bravery in entering the strong surf fully elothed aroused the admiration of ill, and as he and Mr Cornes made the beach with Mrs Mehelson he was enthusiastically eheerea. it is ascertained that Mm Nichelsen ii recovering well from the shook. Through the rescue of Mrs Nionei' son by the dinghy "Hope"'there was a remarkable coincidence in that in losss, on the completion of the boat, Mrs Nicholson wns asked by the Life Boat Club to ehooie a name and MnMw it. The name chosen by MM Nicholson wns "Hope," and the first occasion on which the boat was uied wa» in tho rescue of Mm Nicholson on Saturdfty.

BBACH PATROLS. Members Of the Surafler Lifft-fetinft Olnli lift** for ttime time b*«* Mttlous to secure for the borough a qualifled beach patrol during the bathing •**• son 'fho local Council haa not the funds for this, and thft J**"*** neeldoht* have pointed to the n«ce*»Uy for someone to patrol the beach*!. Tw» man selected should be ft first-class life saver, Able to organise relief, and ex* pert enough to attempt a rescue himself It is thought that the Chfistehurch City Council should be prepared to assist financially as ft v«ry larg* poremta«e of accident* happen to City vlsi» torf». . . The local Council might assist with the finances, and by acting as control* ling authority, while tike local lifesaving club night assist by contributing a proportion of the fees received froth members residing outside the bor* OUflll. It is expected that thu Borough Council may be approached on the#e lines at its next meeting.