Sacrificed Life To Save Daughter

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1948, Page 3

Sacrificed Life To Save Daughter

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.) —A tribute to the courage of Dr A. E. F. Mackay, second assistant secretary to the Treasury, who was drowned after rescuing his daughter, Valerie, from the surf at Raumati South on Sunday, was .paid yesterday by a former Australian surf life-saver, who took part in the rescue. The man chose to remain anonymous.

“Dr Mackay was a very brave man,’’ he said. “He made no attempt to save himself but tried to hold his daughter out of the water.” The man said he was dressed at the time and sitting on the beach when he saw Valerie Mackay apparently in difficulties a long way out. HEAVY UNDERTOW By the time he reached the girl, Dr Mackay, who was obviously tiring, was supporting her. The girl had her arms round he'r father’s neck and each time a wave swept over them Dr Mackay went under, attempting to hold her up. The man said he took Valerie Mackay and returned toward the beach with her. There was a very heavy undertow and it took him 10 minutes to reach the beach.

As he went out to help the girl’s father, Dr Mackay disappeared. The man himself was then tiring and he turned back toward the beach, which he reached in an exhausted condition. The search for Dr Mackay’s body continued yesterday without success.