RESCUED FROM RIVER.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 10

RESCUED FROM RIVER.

WORKER'S COURAGEOUS ACT. (SPECIAL TO THE PAE93.) OAMARU, August 11. . A courageous act, and one that merits recognition, is reported from the Waitnki hydro-electric works, as being performed by James Leonard Johnston in plunging into the Waitaki river to the assistance of a fellowworker, R. Grimwood, and helping him to safety. Both men are carpenters and were working in a punt on the river in the vicinity of the Wharekuri bridge, which is being constructed at the head of the dam. Grimwood was leaning over the side of the punt releasing a snag when the snag suddenly gave way and he over-balanced and fell into the river. He is a poor swimmer. Without hesitation, Johnston, fully clothed and with his bag of nails still about his waist, plunged into the water to his companion's assistance, calling out encouraging words and telling him to keep his nead up. The temperature of the water in the river was 35 degrees, hut the rescuer caught Grimwood 90 or 100 yards downstream and assisted him to safety. It was a most courageous act, which only a very powerful swimmer could have achieved, and Grimwood would most certainly have been drowned but for Johnston's assistance.

Mr P.. 11. Packwood (engineer in charge) has reported the matter to the Minister for Public Works, and Mr W. H. Frith (North Otago representative), has forwarded particulars of the occurrence to the Koyal Humane Society of New Zealand.