Bravery award for rescue
An Auckland traffic officer received-a medal for gallantry at the annual meeting of the Royal Life Saving Society in Christchurch on Saturday evening. Mr John Harvey was presented with the Kingsland Memorial Medal by the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir Hamish Hay. for rescuing a woman from heavy surf at Waimarama Beachi Hawke's Bay. on January 7 last vear.
The medal is given only for "the most meritorious rescue from drowning in New Zealand." Mr Harvey said he was on holiday at the beach when three people got into difficulties at one end of the beach, away from the patrolled area.
A mother, son. and uncle were swimming together when the son got into a strong rip and was swept out from the beach. "The mother, who described herself as a strong swimmer, went to help the son but also got caught in the rip and was carried a fair way from the shore.
' A non-swimming member of the group came along the beach looking for help." Mr Harvey said, yesterday.
While others ran along the beach to the surf patrol. Mr Harvey plunged into the surf to go to the aid of the woman.
Meanwhile, the son. who had originally got into difficulties. had been rescued by the uncle.
About 10 years ago Mr Harvey swum competitively in Auckland, representing his province and also New Zealand. He swam against Australia in a triangular competition. He specialised in breaststroke and medlev.
"She was about 300 yards off-shore and by the time I reached her she was semiconscious. I managed to get her all the way in by myself but I have never been so knackered in all mv life.
"A couple of people tried to swim out to me through the surf but they were beaten back." he said.
Mr Harvey dragged the woman into the shallows, from where others carried her up the beach. He was only able to crawl, he was so tired. Mr Harvey said he was nominated by the Ministry of Transport for the award. Two independent witnesses were required to verify the facts of the rescue.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821004.2.48
Bibliographic details
Press, 4 October 1982, Page 6
Word Count
354Bravery award for rescue Press, 4 October 1982, Page 6
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in