YOUTH AND MAN JOIN IN RESCUE OF TWO GIRLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23041, 3 September 1949, Page 4

YOUTH AND MAN JOIN IN RESCUE OF TWO GIRLS

(P.A.)

HAMILTON. Sept. 3.

Prompt action of a youth and a man in diving fully clothed into the Hamilton lake prevented a probable doubledrowning tragedy when two young girls were in difficulties in the water.

Apparently the two girls, Bonny Holm, aged eight, and Valerie Ross, aged five, were visiting the lake when the younger child, who was on the end of a jetty, fell into deep water. Her older companion immediately attempted to reach the struggling child by lying on the jetty and feeling in the water, but she also fell in.

The shouts for help of the girls in the water and the screams of two other children in the vicinity attracted the attention of Master Brian Waterson, aged 18, of Port Waikato, who is staying in Hamilton. He was about 200 yards from the jetty. Although he had not been long out of bed after suffering from influenza he ran to the jetty and dived in fully clothed.

He was able to pull the younger child, who was at this time under the water, to the surface. He was by then exhausted and called for assistance. Fortunately his shouts were heard by a visitor to the city, Mr. Stanley Harris ,of Hastings, who immediately dived into the water and pulled the younger child out. He then assisted Brian from the water. While he was in the water Bonny Holm was able to clutch Mr. Harris by the neck and she also was lifted from the water. All quickly recovered from the cold water.