BOYS RESCUED FROM RIVER

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26854, 6 October 1952, Page 6

BOYS RESCUED FROM RIVER

BOAT SWEPT AWAY BY CURRENT (New Zealand Press Associdtian) WANGANUI, October 5. Two boys were rescued today from the Wanganui river near Balgownie avenue, Wanganui. They are Garry Purvis, aged eight, and Gordon Purvis, aged six, sons of Mr G. A. Purvis, Wanganui. A fast tide was running in when the two lads were brought ashore by Peter Currie, aged 16, and Mr Peter Turner, aged 29. Garry Purvis was able to walk fee last few yards through shallow water to the bank, but his brother was unconscibus. Artificial respiration was applied to Gordon Purvis for 20 minutes. The boy was then taken to the Wanganui Hospital, where he responded to oxygen treatment in an iron lung, But for the prompt action of Virginia Turner, aged nine, in calling her father, Mr W. G. Turner, both the Purvis boys would have been drowned. Virginia Turner and Judife Jarman were playing together near the river. They watched a group of boys push a boat out into the stream and paddle it with stieks. Very quickly fee boat drifted out from the bank wife the two Purvis boys in it. One of the boys was heard to say; “Jump or we’U be drowned-” The younger boy then jumped into the river and clung to the side of the boat. He then let go and drifted off with the current.

The older boy jumped in after his brother, and both boys called for help. Virginia Turner raised the alarm, and they were rescued.