Men Flung From Launch

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 16

Men Flung From Launch

LNZ. Press Association) ’ AUCKLAND, Sept. 15. j A small runabout ' almost ran down three men who had been tossed from it into the sea by a large wave today. The wave knocked the launch on to its side half a ’ mile off Musick Point just ' after 1 p.m. The craft righted i itself and, out of control, ] careered in circles before rim- ’ ning ashore. On board had been Mr John Stevenson Bissett, aged 18, of 46 Clovelly Road, Buckland’s Beach; his brother, Mr , Bruce Stevenson Bissett, aged

21, of 95 Ferguson Street, Palmerston North; and Mr Eoin Bruce Pringle, aged 20, of the same address. The lat-

ter two are students at Massey University. Mr Bruce Bissett said that after they had been thrown out the launch went in decreasing circles.

“We thought we were going to get ploughed over. It was quite close to us,” he said. “It finally straightened out ran on to the beach at Musick Point It went right out of the water, but settled on two pieces of wood. It was not even damaged.” The three then faced the problem of swimming half a mile to the shore, said Mr Bissett “None of us had been swimming for a long time and we were pretty helpless, with our clothing dragging us down.” he said. “We stripped and were floundering round and for a while we thought we were not going to make it. Then we got the incoming current and came in." They walked to their car, which was parked nearby, and returned to their home, wet and tired, but unhurt BOAT BURNT In another boating mishap today, a 20-foot cabin cruiser was burned to a shell after an explosion about 10 a.m., three-quarters of a mile off Beachlands. The owner, Mr R. Hunter, of 71 Nelson Street, Howick. jumped into the launch’s dinghy.

A fishing boat came alongside the launch and sprayed it with water. A Howick. sea rescue launch towed the hulk to a sandspit where it sank in about three feet of water.