CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 120, 15 February 1926, Page 6

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

AT LIFE-SAVING CONTEST

MAKE-BELIEVE BECOMES REALITY

By Telegraph'.—Press Association

Christchurch, February 14

Make-believe developed into grim reality in a junior life-saving contest at Sumner yesterday. In the end timely rescues were made by a motor-boat outside the bar, .and an unconscious swimmer was resuscitated. Trouble began when the North Beach team’s subject mistook the direction of the buoy. For a few minutes his team waited, thinking he would correct his course. This he did not do, and eventually the team was sent out for the competition. J. Richatis (beltman) and G. Brown (support) made good time for their subject, but soon found that in spite of his vigorous swimming lie was going farther out to sea. By this time everybody on the shore was concerned about the safety of all three lads. Nearly two reels of life-line were out, and the North Beach subject was almost out of sight. Three Sumner men, D. Richardson, J. Sutherland, and R. Blackmore then rushed into the surf, and D. Wilson donned another belt and took a line out from a point nearer the men. Urgent messengers were sent also to call out the life boat, as at least three of the swimmers Were in real danger. When the suspense of the watching crowd was becoming acute, the motorboat Pacific was obtained, and it made full-speed over the breakers ot the bar. Snell, the subject, was first picked up, and he collapsed when hauled aboard. Richardson had just reached him, and had supported him for some moments. These two, with G. Brown, were brought back to the pier. .Meanwhile, J. Sutherland, who was then exhausted, was helped ashore in a dazed condition. Blackmore, who had taken over the North Beach belt, was unable to manage the great length of line behind him, and he signalled the Pacific to be picked up. The signal was mistaken, and when he was pulled ashore he was unconscious, and in a bad way. In an hour, after persistent resuscitation treatment, with application of heat fybm half-a-dozen hot water bottles, blankets, and rugs, he revived, and was later helped home.