‘Hero’ saves man after boat crash

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33985, 28 October 1975, Page 18

‘Hero’ saves man after boat crash

(N.Z. Press Association)

WANGANUI. October 27.

Speedboat trials on the Wanganui River ended in a near-tragedy today when a highpowered craft flipped at 144km/h, hurling its occupant into the swiftflowing river.

The first man to the accident, a young motor-cyclist who had been watching from near the Wanganui Boat Club rooms, removed his leather jacket and boots and dived to the rescue.

He helped the boat’s occupant, Mr Bruce Carlyon, on to the overturned boat before other boats arrived to take them both to shore, where an ambulance was waiting. Witnesses described the motor-cyclist’s action as ’“heroic” but nobody had a

chance to thank him because he disappeared in sodden clothing as fast as he had appeared. The accident happened about 1.30 p.m. when Mr Carlyort, of Wanganui, was heading upstream. Witnesses said that the strong current and wind lifted the boat to a vertical position before completely flipping it. It continued for about 30 metres before coming to rest. According to a Feilding speedboat enthusiast, Mr Don Puklowcsi, who was at the trials, the craft, a funneled hull type, was doing about 144 km/h. Mr Carlyon went over his craft and received serious facial injuries and a broken arm. Mr Carlyon’s condition was not available tonight from the Wanganui Base Hospital. According to Mr Puklowcsi today it was only the second time Mr Carlyon had been out in his new outboardpowered craft.