Test for stranded rescue official

Press, 5 December 1989, Page 1

Test for stranded rescue official

By

BARRY CLARKE

Vhen Harold Thomson became an official i of a newly formed search and rescue organisation at Ellesmere, little did he realise he would be the subject of the, group’s maiden rescue. The Southbridge builder, aged 51, his two daughters, a son-in-law, and a Darwin man were plucked from an island in the Rakaia River yesterday after being marooned foe more than five hours. |. : Mr Thomson’s steel-hulled jet boat ran aground in a shallow channel 3km from the month about 8 pun. oh Sunday. - i

In a search for deeper water the five dragged the boat for 1% hours before they/ , decided to stay put on an island when. darkness felt “It. was a little bit embarrassing ... being' deputy president of the Ellesmere District’ ■; Search and Rescue Organisation. What some people will do to organise a rescue exerelse,** he joked yesterday. , Mr Thomson, his daughters, Claire, aged 2*, Anthea, aged .24, her. husband, John Wilson, aged 28, and Rex Mitchell, aged 31,

of Darwin, gathered wood and lit a fire. They were spotted about 14* . ajn.. and ; rescued.two.hours later. ; -Mr Thomson’s only concern* were for' Anthea, wbb.is six months pregiint, and that the river might flood. Strong north-west winds had brougnt rain <• the Alps and a flood warning had been posted for the Rakaia River yesterday. ' “Everything went all right though. I can’t say enough for the rescuers. A helicopter was on stand-by in case anything went Wrong," Mr Thomson said. ,