‘Heroic’ grandfather drowns

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 4

‘Heroic’ grandfather drowns

PA Napier A Hawke’s Bay farm manager gave his life on Saturday to save his granddaughter from drowning. He was Peter Surtees Pettit, aged 63, of Maraekakaho, near Hastings. Mr Pettit was picnicking by the inlet of a lagoon at Napier when the girl was caught by a strong current. Senior-Sergeant Paul Lacey of the Napier police said Mr Pettit went to the rescue knowing it would endanger his life.

Six months ago Mr Pettit had a major operation which was thought to have affected his heart. “He would have known the consequences. There is no doubt he gave his life so that the child survived,” Senior-Sergeant Lacey said. Mr Pettit kept five-year-old Hannah Austin’s head out of the water until a boy fishing nearby reached them. “He had the strength of character to hang on to the child and fought to stay afloat until he knew the child was safe. He was

fighting to stay alive,” Mr Lacey said. Horace and Johnny Poi Poi, of Napier, were fishing from the bridge by the picnic spot and saw the drama unfolding and joined in the rescue. Hannah and her eight-year-old brother Ben were at first swimming in the shallows. Five minutes later Hannah was in difficulty and was swept into choppy water mid-chan-nel. The brothers were alerted by the girl’s screams and saw Ben try to rescue his sister but he

too got into difficulty, Senior-Sergeant Lacey said. By the time they reached the water’s edge Mr Pettit was swimming out to his grandchildren. Ben Austin was quickly hauled to shore by Horace Poi Poi. Johnny, meanwhile, swam out and attached a length of rope to Mr Pettit and. Hannah. The rope was not long enough and by the time Horace reached the girl, Mr Pettit was struggling. The grandfather appeared to give up the struggle once he saw the

girl was safe, the police said. As Horace was returning to shore with Hannah a yacht came alongside and gave them a tow. Mr Pettit was found soon after by another boat but despite resuscitation he could not be revived. “There was an element of heroism by Mr Pettit,” Senior-Sergeant Lacey said. “It was very sad but reassuring that everyone there did what they could — everyone became involved and the kids lived.”