RESCUE FROM DROWNING

Evening Star, Issue 21319, 25 January 1933, Page 6

RESCUE FROM DROWNING

YOUTH'S PROMPT ACTION

The prompt action of Mr Victor M‘George (aged 17), was responsible for saving the life of a child at Karitane on Wednesday last. The little firl had apparently been propelling erself across the mouth of the Waikouaiti River with the assistance of an inflated hall when it escaped her hold and was carried away by wind and tide.

At the spot where this occurred the river is deep and the tidal current strong. There were no spectators of the incident, and only the loud screams of the girl’s compauion on the shore attracted the notice of the M‘Georga family, who were at lundi at their cottage in the neighbourhood. Young M'GeorgO bad a lengthy sprint to reach, the spot, and his bare feet were somewhat lacerated by the shells and rocks on the foreshore. He dived in. fully clothed, seized the child as she was disappearing for the third time, and succeeded in bringing her ashore. The child was in a very bad way, and while artificial s respiration was being promptly commenced by his father young M‘6eorge was, of_ lus own accord, sprinting in search of bob’ water bottles, warm clothing, and other restoratives. Fortunately the child was_ brought round in due course, but it is certain that, but for the level-headedness of her rescuer, she would have lost her life. The little girl is the daughter of Dr and Mrs MTnnes, of Temuka. A local elderly fisherman, Mr. Muengo Kirkwood, also rushed to the spot and entered the water, but admitted he would have been unlikely to reach the child in time to prevent a fatality,, which was, however, prevented by the fortunate action of the younger and speedier man, whose coolness deserves commendation.