RACE FOR LITE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18760, 14 July 1924, Page 9

RACE FOR LITE.

STRUGGLE AT BOND! BEACH

RESCUER'S RECORD RUN.

Owing to his diving into the worst channel on the beach, at Bondi, Sydney, recently, Frank Fritseh, aged 30, Fletcher Street, Bondi, was taken 600 yards out to sea, and hpd to be rescued. A friend who was with him when he entered the water was carried out a short distance, but he managed to struggle back to the beach. The full credit of the rescue is due to " Nobby" Clarke, of Moore Street, Bondi, a well-taown resident, who ran a long distance to the beach and brought Fritseh ashore. Fritseh and his friend went into the water dressed in surf costumes. They were not aware of the dangerous condition of a part of the beach, and it was not long before they were in trouble. A strong undercurrent wa3 running south, and they were both lifted off tneir feet and taken ont from the shore. Fritsch's friend was not in so dangerous a position as Fritseh, and struggled back, but Fritseh could not successfully battle against the waves. At this time Nobby Clarke, who was working on the roof of a new building near the beach noticed Fritseh being carried out to sea. Dashing down the leader, he raced toward the beach, taking off his clothes as he ran. When he reached the water he had divested himself of most of his clothing, and. in a few seconds he stripped himself, and putting on a life-saver's belt, dashed into the water. A strong swimmer, and without any fear of being taken bv a shark, he surged ahead, and after going 600 yds, pulled up alongside Fritseh, who was conscious and saving his energy by floating, Mr. Clarke caught hold of Fritseh, and brought him ashore They had considerable trouble in getting out of the water, a» Fritseh became exhausted when he had covered the journey back to the beach. However, Mr. Clarke stuck gamely to him and saved his life.