RECENT ESCAPE FROM DROWNING

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 134, 2 March 1921, Page 5

RECENT ESCAPE FROM DROWNING

CREDIT FOR RESCUE MISPLACED.

On January 12 retference was made in these columns to a narrow escape, from drowning in the Hutt River, near Mailings, on January 9. It now appears that the information furbished the Dominion reporter responsible for the account led him to give credit whore the same was not due. Mr. T. Levien, of Lower Hutt, was stated to have been responsible for saving the lives of three perrons who were bathing in the river; it now transpires that he was merely an eye-witness of tho rescue. Mr. J. V. Dyke, of Lower Hutt, yesterday made the following statement to the reporter:—

“I wa.s down by the river in a dogcart and saw four people —two men and two ladles —bathing. One of the men swam across the river and took a, high dive, being apparently a good swimmer. The other three bathers remained on the other side of the river, paddling about in the shallow water. I stayed in the river in the trap for about five minutes watching them, after which I drove off about two chains past them. I then heard a cry, and, looking back, saw three of the party go under. I jumped from the trap and rushed to the spot. As none of them reappeared on the surface I did not think I would have time to remove my clothes, so I dived in, as I stood, to the last spot where I saw the bathers. Before diving I called out to the man on the other side of the river. Failing to locate them I came to the surface and experienced great difficulty in keeping afloat with mv boots and leggings on. and a had under-current was pulling me down. When I broke away from the current 1 met the swimmer with one of tho girfs, and I assisted him in getting her ashore. I was, then pretty nearly done, and told the swimmer’ (Air. Robson) so. He immediately swam halfway, across tho river, obtaining a hold of the other two bathers, who were clasped together. I followed him and again assisted in getting them to the, shore. On reaching the shore Air. Levien gave me his hand, and 'having tho weight of the other three on tho other hand, 1 pulled him into tho water. There is no doubt that tho three lives were saved by the k-em-ber of the party. Air. AV. J- Jfobson, who deserves great credit for his i»ra»erv.” Air. Dyke assured the reporter that he himself had done very little in assisting ■ at the resell'", stating that Air. Robson was responsible for the greater portion of it. Air. Dyke has since fried to "depth” the spot where the party was bathing, but so far has been unsuccessful. The young ladr'es rcacuM were the Misses Txinrr. of Hankey Pl reel . Wellington, and the man was Air. G. A. J Wilson, of Wellington. Air. W. J. Robson was the other member of the party. Air. n. E. Tring. father of the two young ladies, is fairing steps to have

‘ l, o e Afegsrs. Dyke and Robson recognised by the Royal Humane Society. As a mark of appreciation Air. Long has presented each with a gold medal.. The mrflnl given to Air. Dyke hoars the following inscription :—“To J. V. Dyke, for helping in' saving my two daughters from drowning nt Mailings, January 9, 1921. —H. E. Long.”