RESCUE FROM HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 8

RESCUE FROM HARBOUR.

forty minutes IN water.

LAUNCH DRIVERS 1 EXPERIENCE,

A narrow escape from drowning befell Mr. Sinton, a launch driver employed by the Auckland. Harbour Board, who fell overboard from the launch Te Hauraki, on Monday night, and was about 40 minutes in the water before he was rescued. The accident occurred off the Western Wharf at 10 o'clock, when Mr. Sinton was making his launch fast to a large punt preparatory to towing it to Rangitoto. He swam to the drifting launch, but was unable to. climb up the sloping sides. He met with the same difficulty when he swam to the punt. As the launch and punt were a long way from the shore, Mr. Sinton's predicament was dangerous. To prevent himself sinking he fastened himself to a rope hanging oyer the side of the punt. Fortunately his cries were heard by Messrs. Rigby, Coley, and Wickcliffe, chief steward, wireless operator, and fireman, respectively, on the steamer Waimarino, who put out in a boat, and, guided by his calls, located Mr. Sinton, who was by that time m a very exhausted oondition. Yesterday Mr. Sinton was suffering from a severe cold, dm© to, his long immersion in the water.

Mr. Sinton's cries for assistance were apparently heard at Northcote, as Messrs. F. ' O. Devlin - and A. Ellis put off in a boat from there in response to the appeal, but not finding any trace of anyone, they reported the matter to the water police.