RESCUES FROM SURF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 January 1926, Page 6

RESCUES FROM SURF.

LIFE-SAVERS' GOOD WORK. BATHERS BROUGHT ASHORE. CAUGHT IN A HEAVY SEA. EXCITEMENT AT LYALL BAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Sunday. A large crowd on the beach at. Lyall Bay was provided with plenty of excitement yesterday (afternoon, when some thrilling rescues were effected. Splendid heroism was shown by Maranui and Lyall Bay life-savers, who more than once found themselves in difficulties in the strong under-tow. The most exciting incident occurred at. about 2.30 p.m., when a party of four, consisting of two men and two women, were observed to be in difficulties a fair distance from the shore. The alarm was given by Mr. C. Kite and Mr. L. Withers, who were in the watchtowcr of the Maranui Surf and Life Saving Club's shed, the result being that a Maranui team promptly went to the rescue. Messrs. L. Turner, E. Hughes, C. Eversleigh and J. Sleeman wcro the first to reach the bathers. Owing to a heavy backwash, which was mado worse by a treacherous current, the supporters were unabio to hold the distressed people and had it not been for the gallantry of Messrs. Mollier and Dawkins, of the Lyall Bay Club, a tragedy would undoubtedly have occurred. These two swam out unsupported. Even then the task of rescue was by no means easy. A strong southerly was blowing and a big surf running. Under the circumstauccs progress on the part of the last-named was slow. However, after a great struggle Messrs. Dawkins and Mollier reached the women and brought them to shore. The two men were assisted by the others. "It was a very thrilling scene indeed," said an eye-witness. "No praise is too high for the rescuers. At times it seemed that the task was impossible, so strong were the seas, but by sheer pluck and undaunted endurance they succeeded in bringing the women in." When brought to the shore the men and women were in a rather bad way, but after respiration methods had been employed they were able to proceed to their homos. Afterwards it was decided for the benefit of the bathers to place two reels at a dangerous part of the beach. This action was perhaps the means of saving several lives. Hardly half-an-hour had elapsed before a party of three were carried out to sea. Once again Mr. Dawkins, of the Lyall Bay Club, went through the surf, this time being accompanied by Mr. U. Shannon. The sea was not so rough at this period, the result being that the work of rescue was not so hard as on the first occasion. Mr. Hughes went out with, the lino and the party was brought safoly back to shore. Two others were also saved from drowning during the afternoon.