lucky Escape at The Foxton Beach

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 3

lucky Escape at The Foxton Beach

MEN SWEPT OUT TO SEA. Three young men were swept out to sea from the mofftti of the Manawatu river at Foxton on Sunday, when a canoo capsized, but they wero fortunately brought ashore again by the set south of the river.

The men, who had three and a-half hours’ trying experience, wero Mr A. Follett, aged 28, a married man, of Feilding; Mr E. Hughes, aged 22, single, of Palmerston North, and Mr P. Hughes, his brother, aged 20, single, also of Palmerston North. Tho two latter aro brothers-in-law of Mr Follett. Sharks wero seen in the immediate vicinity as the three clung to their partially submerged craft. . The men were frequently under the waves as the rollers swept along in the open sea. All three can swim, but are not very proficient in the art. Discussing the experience with a reporter, Mr Follett said that they were at Foxton for the day and borrowed an outrigger canoe about 12 feet long. The canoe was made in the true island style, being of shaped timbers lashed together. When they were in tho river nearing tho mouth about 2 p.m., the canoe upset, and, although they lost neither of the paddles, the boat was practically submerged when it was righted. They clung to it and were able to climb into the canoe and on to the outrigger supports. "The waves wero fairly high and when wo got right out we just gave up hope. Au aeroplano went overhead —it was quite close —but we were evidently not seen,’’ stated Mr Follett. "Then we found that the current was taking us in, and we kept the boat's head to the shore. Eventually we came in about two miles doyvn the beach, about 5.30 p.m. We were absolutely exhausted. I had cramp when I was sitting on a bar connecting the outrigger with the body of the canoe, but 1 couldn’t do anything as I had to keep my legs straight down and hang on to the canoe with my hands.

‘‘Two men came across the river in a boat and walked down tho beach, thinking that there might be something washed ashore, but we were out by tffe time they got down and had stopped a car and secured the loan of a couple of towels. We were able then to get back to Foxton, going across tho river by boat. We were very lucky indeed to strike the current as we did, as the tide would not have brought anything iu until hours later. It was thought at Foxton that we had been drowned, and no hope at all was held by fishermen there. I had my wife at the beach with me and she was exceedingly worried, as she had learned about the incident from people on the beach." Yesterday all three were quite recovered.

The Surf Club’s reel was dispatched to the scene by car along the Ocean beach when news was received that a craft had met with misadventure and was in difficulties.