Rescued From River

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31208, 4 November 1966, Page 14

Rescued From River

An elderly Christchurch couple were rescued by a passing motorist after their car went down a 100 ft bank from the Lewis Pass road into the Boyle river on Wednesday afternoon .

Mr W. Searle, aged 69, of 17 Cranford street, and his wife, Mrs G. J. Searle, aged 72, were both admitted to Christchurch Hospital suffering from head and leg injuries. Mrs Searle’s condition was reported to be fairly satisfactory last evening. Mr Searle’s condition was satisfactory.

The car left the road on a bend about 43 miles from the Hanmer turn-off. Heavy rain was falling. Mr A. R. Dawson, of 144 Idris road, saw the car at the foot of a steep bluff when he was passing within a few minutes of the accident The car was on its wheels but in shallow water. Mr Dawson found Mrs Searle lying face down in the water, and pulled her to the bank. He also assisted Mr Searle, who was out of the car, but in a shocked state. The river rose seven inches in the two hours Mr Dawson was at the scene. The St. John ambulance at Culverden was called to take the couple to hospital.