Man rescued unconscious

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33740, 13 January 1975, Page 1

Man rescued unconscious

A man swimming in the sea about half-way between the New Brighton and South Brighton surf life-saving clubs, which are about two miles apart, was pulled unconscious from the water yesterday in a rescue involving surf life-savers, the fire-brigade, an ambulance and two doctors.

The man, aged about 25, got into difficulties beyond the breakers about 1 p.m. and another man held him up in the water for about half an hour until surf club members reached him.

The first to reach him were two from the New Brighton club who arrived on a scooter. They were joined by members from the South Brighton club in their utility vehicle and the man was reached by swimmers wearing rescue tubes and brought ashore. The man was revived with the help of resuscitators on fire engines from New Brighton and headquarters. Two doctors also attended. Taken a mile He was then taken a mile along the beach on the South Brighton club’s vehicle to their clubhouse where he was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance. He was treated and discharged. The person who held him up in the water left as soon as the rescue was made. The New Brighton Surf Club made about 10 rescues yesterday and two on Saturday, and the Waimairi club

rescued three people yesterday — two were in a canoe — and four on Saturday. People were generally reported to be swimming within the patrolled areas.