HEROIC SMALL BOY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 176, 25 June 1935, Page 5

HEROIC SMALL BOY.

SAVES YOUNGER BROTHER. ALTHOUGH UNABLE TO SWIM. Cecil Heath, aged 10, who could not swim, leaped into the Leichhardt (Sydney) Canal in a heroic effort to save his brother’s'life. Both boys were rescued by a passer-by, and they were taken to hospital for treatment. One of them was in a serious condition. Cecil Heath, who lives in Elswick Street, Leichhardt, was fishing with his brother, William, aged five, in the canal. The boys were sitting on the bank when William toppled into the water. He was soon in difficulties. Cecil screamed frantically for aid, but no one heard Iris cries. Despairing of finding assistance in time, he plunged into the water. The smaller boy was sinking when Cecil reached him. Cecil grasped liim by a shoulder and held him up. Then Cecil was dragged down by the weight, but pulled his brother to the surface again, choking for breath. In the meantime. William Doherty saw the l>oys’ predicament. Without waiting to remove his clothinc he jumped into the water to their aid. With a few swift strokes he reached them, and pulled them to the bank. Bnih boys were exhausted, and Doherty applied resuscitation methods. William was in a bad way, but Cecil quickly rallied.