RESCUE FROM THE AIR

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 10

RESCUE FROM THE AIR

.WOMAN IN DISTEESS

CARRIED BEYOND THE BREAKERS

PICKED UP BY SEAPLANE

[By Telegraph—Press Association.; AUCKLAND, This Day. A rescue without precedent in New Zealand was witnessed at Karekare, one of the popular west, coast beaches, yesterday afternoon, when Miss Hazel Bentham, aged 30, having been swept beyond the reach of life-lines, was taken from the water by a Fairey seaplane piloted by Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford. Mis Bentham was caught in the undertow:at about 2.15 p.m. A life-line was run out, but though it was 300 yards long, it proved too short. A message was then sent to the Piha Lifesaving Club, six miles away over a.hill, and a team jof four with another line arrived by truck. Meanwhile, the woman had wisely realised it was impossible to struggle back to shore against the ebb tide, and used her energy to keep afloat. The second line ] also, though 440 yards long, proved too short, and the two lines were then joined, but the beltman could not make a direct approach, and with the turn of the tide he was in danger of being swept on to the rocks. He therefore signalled to be brought ashore, and was pulled in exhausted.

There was no boat on the beach, and as a last resource; a telephone message was sent to the: Hobsonville Air Base. There was only a skeleton staff on duty, but the commander, SquadronLeader L. M. Isitt, eventually got a seaplane launched manned by FlightLieutenant Wallingford and Leading Aircraftman J. Palmer. SquadronLeader Isitt himself followed in a Gipsy Moth.

Flight-Lieut. Wallingforcl brought the machine down clear of the breakers, and then taxied it in to the woman', who was floating about 300 yards from the shore. Aircraftman. Palmer climbed down on to one float and dropped a line which the woman was able to seize. Flight-Lieutenant . Wallingford also- climbed down and helped Miss Bentham on to the float.

It was apparent that she was in a parlous state, and, despite the danger to the seaplane, artificial respiration was begun immediately',1 and was continued for. some time.

The machine was then taxied out to calmer water, and the woman was placed in the cabin and flown to Hobsonville, where she was treated by a doctor and then removed to hospital. She is recovering.

A tribute was paid by spectators hot only to; the Air Force men's feat,-but also to the persistent efforts of the surf club men}; notably Messrs. A. L. Sutton, T.- Turner,l and C. R. Holt. Mr., Holt, despite one attack of cramp, went out again with a line while the seaplane was on its way to Karekare. Squadron-Leader Isitt remarked that it was fortunate that the wind was off the land and the sea smooth enough for the seaplane to land and take off.

It was learned today, that Miss Bentham, though she clasped the rope flung to her from the seaplane, did not hear the machine arrive. She does not remember being taken aboard, and only returned to full consciousness in the home of Flight-Lieutenant Wallingford after she had been flown to Hobsonville. Those who attempted to rescue her praised her endurance, coolness, and courage.