RESCUE FROM SURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 25 January 1944, Page 2

RESCUE FROM SURF

SUCCESSFUL FIRST-AID Waihi Beach, Jan. 23. A narrow escape from drowning was experienced by Mr H Peckham, of Waihi, at 6 o’clock this morning, when a dinghy in which he was seated was capsized in the heavy surf at Waihi Beach. Besides Mr Peckham there were in the dinghy Messrs G. Cleave and L. Robinson and Lance-Corporal N R. •Sanson. The four men were proceeding to a launch, which was anchored some distance out, with the intention of going fishing, when the dinghy capsized. Three of the men swam ashore, but Mr Peckham, who was unable to swim, clung to the upturned dinghy The alarm was sounded, and members of the Waihi Surf Club and the St. John Ambulance responded. Mr Hovell the owner of the launch, and Messrs Jeffrey and Ashby went out in a small boat to the rescue The second boat was also in imminent danger of being swamped, but was skilfully handled, and Mr Peckham was brought ashore He was unconscious and suffering severely from shock and exposure. Two doctors rendered firstaid and Mr Peckham recovered The rescue was witnessed from the beach by a large crowd of holidaymakers. The dinghy was afterward found in a wrecked condition at Sharks’ Bay.