TREACHEROUS SURF

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 101, 24 January 1927, Page 10

TREACHEROUS SURF

RESCUE FROM DROWNING DRAMATIC INCIDENT AT TITAHI BAY Mr., J. Watterson, of IS Cardell Street, Wellington, was caught in a treacherous undertow while bathing at Titahi Bay yesterday afternoon, and carried a quarter of a mile from the shore before being rescued. Many hundreds of people on the beach watched two men in a small dinghy—Mr. W. Johnston, of Lower Hutt, and Mr. G. H. Sharratt, of Wadcstown—brave the angry seas, and save Mr. Watterson as he was on the verge of unconsciousness. The boat was capsized by the heavy surf, and bathers completed a rescue which had been hccoirally begun. The dramatic incident spoilt an otherwise pleasurable day for a picnic party of which Mr. Watterson, who is connected with the Patent Slip Company, was a member. Accompanied by his nephew, Mr. Watterson proceeded to enjoy the surf shortly after 2 o’clock. As he is generally recognised as a strong swimmer, fears were not entertained for his safety when he ventured out some distance from the shore, though dangerously close to the rocks near the point. However, when he made efforts to reach land a short while later, it was seen that the receding tide was too. strong for him, and the alarm was raised. Mr. Johnston was quick to realise the bather’s predicament, and called for volunteers to man a fourtcen-foot dinghy. Mr. .Sharratt, though he could not swin, immediately responded, and the pair rushed out tlie dinghy in an attempt to effect the rescue, Mr. Johnston working the oars. A crowd quicky collected and watched the dinghy rising on the foamcrested waves, almost to be lost sight of on the other side. A cheer of encouragement went up from the anxious spectators as the beat drew alongside Mr. Watterson, who was distressed beyond measure, so much so, in fact, that he col'apsed when hauled to safety by Mr. Sharratt. The task of the rescuers was not yet at an end, as the shore was a quarter of a mile away and the boat had turned broadside on. Nevertheless, Mr. Johnston worked unremittingly in his endeavours to regain land. He had tired perceptibly, and at first made little impression against the strong outward drift. Little by little, however, the dinghy answered to his efforts, and, rising and falling on the waves, the boat was literally catapulted in stages towards the shore. The dinghy behaved splendidly till about 150 yards from the beach, when it swamped and capsized, precipitating its three occupants into the water.

At this particular spot the water was too deep for the men to touch bottom, and Mr. Johnston struck out for the shore, while Mr. Sharratt clung to the upturned craft, Mr. Watterson being tossed about in the surf, with a lifebuoy to aid him. Amongst other willing helpers who went to the assistance of the men in difficulties, Mr. Jack Niffen and Mr. B. Scott played prominent parts . Mr. Johnston was little the worse for his experience, but resuscitation measures had to be applied, to Messrs. Watterson and Sharratt. In this connection Mr. W. W. Dutton, divisional superintendent of the St. John Ambulance, rendered particularly good service. Mr. Sharratt quickly recovered, but Mr. Watterson was some time unconscious before relief was obtained, and was given attention at the Titahi Bay Club before being conveyed to his home.