Random reminder

Press, 16 May 1981, Page 24

Random reminder

TAKING A DIVE Round the corner, this is a tight one. and easing her down, and. yes (at last) its a car in the river. It’s a rescue. Years of training through the cuhs and the scouts and the St John Ambulance, and reading all the bits in newspapers and the “Woman’s Weekly” are .about to pav off. Park well off the road. Cleatback the crowds and send for. the police and an ambulance. There is nobody else around, so cant do that. Never mind. That is clcarlv the roof of a, white car showing through the water, and the Avon is deep here. It is a rescue. Off with the shoes and into the water. Freezing.'Strike out bravely:now, don’t lose vour bearings.' Probably? women and children in there. Probably particularly

good-looking, rich, grateful women, and children in there. Possibly pets, treasure. Possibly a. newspaper photographer will turn up in the vicinity just as the rescued are dragged ashore. Dive down and open the doors, let them live to their natural age,, you saviour, you; rescuer■ you. Very murky and can’t bear to keep eyes open. Can’t find doors. Dive again, and again; ■.-■ ? >:■ , Kick around on surface trying to, get breath back, and notice spectator watch* ing from the bank. Must get him to stand back; also direct traffic, get. police and ambulance, possibly loosen clothing. . “That one went m the ■■ river two hours ago,” says the spectator. “The driver got: out safely. The tow truck is going to pull it out at low' wdter.” ’