DROWNING AVERTED.
RESCUER AND RESCUED. NEARLY LOST IN RIVE&. BANK* REACHED EVENTUALLY'. [BY TELEGRAPH. —I'KESS ASSOCIATION. 3 TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday, A double drowning accident was narrowly averted in the Waipa River this afternoon. Eric Bell and Harry West were fishing about a mile above Pirongia. West, who is unable to swim, endeavoured to cross the stream, but was caught by the strong current and was soon in difficulties. Bell, fully clothed, plunged after him, and seized him when he rose to the surface. Both were carried to the rapids and were swept a few chains into a deep hole. They sank, but on rising Bell caught a willow branch. While he was holding the branch West slipped from his grasp ancl was carried downstream. Bell again went after him, finally succeeding in holding him by the hair with one hand while he worked his way along a- log with the other hand. West was unconscious when they reached the shore, and Bell was exhausted. The mishap occurred in a lonely place and was not witnessed. No help was at hand. After resting the men managed to struggle back to Pirongia. f.'
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 10
Word Count
191DROWNING AVERTED. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 10
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