RESCUED YOUTH

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 10

RESCUED YOUTH

Hard Swim To Launch

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 1. Battling Bft waves and a chilling water temperature, two 17-year-old life-savers reached a launch adrift off Orewa beach today and brought ashore • the onlv occupant—a youth of their own age who is a non-swinmier.

The two rescuers, Wayne Pritchard and Denis Corrigan, swam out about 250 yards and used life-jackets they found aboard the launch to 'help get the exhausted youth to safety.

Pritchard set off from the beach with a line but was forced to discard it after covering most of the distance because of the heavy drag. The 21ft launch Ellen •Was missed from the Tamaki river iast Thursday morning. It is believed she sailed to Watheke and then anchored off Tiri for two nights. The launch was sighted off Orewa at 3.30 p.m. today, drifting in a heavy chop Pritchard, who was third in the New Zealand junior beltman’s championship this year, said the swim to the launch was the “toughest ever." In spite of an ebb tide the return swim with the youth was not so exhausting. “We had a life-jacket each from the launch.” said Corrigan, “and came in fairly quickly on the waves The chap we found aboard couldn’t swim He said he thought he could make it but he lost confidence after we got into the water. There was no panic, though, and we talked to him and encouraged him.”

The' launch was still anchored offshore tonight, but a high sea was running and salvage could not be attempted.