CLUNG TO DOG.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 91, 15 March 1935, Page 7

CLUNG TO DOG.

DROAVNING BOY SAVED. NEAV PLYMOUTH BEACH DRAMA. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 14. Caught in a treacherous current at Paritutu beach, when no adults were within range, a young boy saved himself from drowning by clinging to a large dog. The incident was witnessed b.y two women who were climbing Paritutu. AVlien at the base they passed two boys ,about seven and nine years old, accompanied by a large dog, part collie, part Alsatian. The boys said they had never seen the dog before, but they called it “Roy.” On reaching the summit the women looked down on the beach and saw the boys racing with the dog and paddling in the water. It was then about four o’clock and the tide had turned out. FURIOUS BARKING HEABD. Twenty 7 minutes later, when the climbers were preparing to descend, they heard the faint sounds of furious barking. Looking down, they saw that the younger hoy was in difficulties. He had evidently waded too far into the sea and the backwash had caught him. He was not yet out of his depth, but tlie water was up to his shoulders and was l>earing him across to a narrow channel between Paritutu and the neighbouring island. His companion, still fully clothed, was standing waist deep in the.sea, hut several yards away. The dog was running up and down the beach, barking, and both boys were making frantic signals. The watchers on the rock had _no chance of reaching the child in time to save him. They said .they wore too numbed to think, and they stared, fascinated, at the drama below them. They saw the dog, which apparently regarded the whole affair as a game, and was gambolling excitedly, suddenlv rush into the sea and swim over to the boy just as he was being carried out of his depth. DOG SWIMS DESPERATELY. As the dog swam up the boy clutched at him. and both went under the water. When they came up the dog was swimming desperately, and had turned its head towards the shore. The boy was clinging to it. It seemed for a time that the tide would be too strong for the animal with its heavy burden.' It was losing rather than gaining ground, until a wave caught it and flung it forward. Dog and hoy disappeared beneath the foam, hut in a few seconds they were in sight again. The dog, taking full advantage of an incoming wave, exerted a powerful effort. Another yard was gained, and the elder boy leaned forward and gripped his friend. The spectators saw the three at last reach dry land, the younger boy sobbing with fright but apparently uninjured.