TRAGEDY AVERTED

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 2

TRAGEDY AVERTED

RESCUE AT ST. CLAIR SWIMMER'S PROMPT ACTION St. Clair Beach was the scene of an exciting rescue yesterday morning, a near tragedy probably being averted by the prompt action of two' well-known-members of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, Mr J. L. M'lndoe and Mr J. Swan.. Mr M'lndoe, who ;s prominent in Dunedin swimming, circles as president of the Otago Centre, was in the surf, swimming about with a big surf board. There was a fairly heavy backwash on, and Mr M'lndoe gradually found himself progressing towards the baths, where he observed another swimmer some distance further in, in the water up to his hips. Being fairly well out, Mr M'lndoe, who has had much experience of the surf at St. Clair, realised that be was nearing the danger zone, and paddled back about 200yds just outside the breakers, where most of the swimmers were disporting. Immediately he heard cries for assistance, and saw a man in difficulties almost on the spot he had just left. With great presence of mind Mr M'lndoe made for the man, whose plight was also noticed by Swan. The pair reached him practically together, and found him to be in great difficulties, having apparently been carried out and finding himself unable to make any headway against the current. M'lndoe and Swan towed the semi-conscious man to the shore, which was not reached without a struggle. Resuscitation was then carried out by members of the St. Clair Life Saving Club under the direction of tho captain, Mr 0. B. uewis. Gradually the man, Chari's Eaton, a motorman on the tramways, was brought round, and eventually he was able to walk away with some ass-st-ance. ,The action of M'lndoe and Swan is the more commendable in view of the fact that they had no lino to assist them in their struggle, for, though the alarm bell was rung, tho rescuers wasted no time in going to Eaton’s asistance, and had reached him before any reel could be run out. lo is_ worthy of mention that on Saturday night Mr M'lndoe, with another membcr_ of tho St. Clair Club, won tho Otago life saving championship.