YOUTHFUL HERO

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 8

YOUTHFUL HERO

e SAVES FRIEND FROM DROWNING PROMPTITUDE AVERTS TRAGEDY By Telegb.U’H—Sl’bctal. CorrespondentAuckland, January 7. A thrilling rescue from drowning was effected at Judge’s Bay, Parnell, by a boy named Albert Weaver, aged about 12 years, ,who saved a companion, Ambrose Death, aged 12, who was sinking and being carried to sea. The incident arose through the foolish prank of some boys throwing stones at Death, who was paddling about in a 'mail punt some yards off the beach, >nd a tragedy was only averted by the promptitude of Weaver, who carried out an almost impossible rescue single-handed. When the boys began throwing stones, Death bent low to avoid them and in doing so capsized his small craft. He was precipitated into the water, and was soon in difficulties, not being able to swim, and with an ebb tide flowing strongly he was carried well out of his depth. The bovs, who had been the cause of the trouble, made no. effort to attract attention, but Weaver appeared on the scene, and without hesitation, and fullv dressed, secured the punt and swam with it to Death, who was now drowning. Weaver reached his friend as he went down for the third time, and grasping him by the ’ hair struggled to keep his head above water. For ten minutes the young hero battled, and finally managed to get Death into the punt and bring him ashore. By this time assistance had arrived, and Death, who was unconscious, was subjected to artificial respiration, which proved successful after an hour’s work. Weaver was exhausted after his plucky rescue, but recovered later The boys who had thrown the stones did not remain to hear the comments made regarding the folly of such a piactice, but it is understood that the police will impress upon them that such, practices do not meet with the approval of the law.