DROWNING AVERTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 10

DROWNING AVERTED.

QIRL SWEPT DOWN RIVER. CAUGHT IN SWIFT CURRENT. PLUCKY RESCUE EFFORTS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WAIRAKEI, Thursday. A drowning accident was narrowly averted at Woirakoi this afternoon by tho plucky action of an Auckland girl, \yho plunged into the swiftly-flowing current of tho Wnikato River to aid a bather who was in difficulties.

Miss Evylyn Low, of Mokai, nged 15, was bathing at the mouth of tho Geyser Valley hot croek, which joins tho Waikato River at tho Wairakoi landing, and, venturing too fur into tho main river, was carried away by the current. Misa A. Glover, of Stanmoro Road, Grey Lynn, who is a strong swimmer, plunged after her and succeeded in supporting her until tho father of Miss Low reached her.

The three swimmers, however, were separated by tho current, Mr. Low being carried to tho near side of tho river and Miss Glover to the far side, where sho landed. Miss Low, who succeeded in keeping afloat on her back, was carried for over half-a-mile and finally landed on the far side of the river. After struggling for an hour through impenetrable scrub, she was forced to return to the river bank.

A motor-car, driven by Mr. Dorrie, of Wellington, was proceeding with a party to Aratiatia Rapids to assist in the rescue when it turned completely over. Tho windows were shattered, but the six occupants escaped unhurt. The two girls were finally rescued by a party in an outboard motor-boat owned by Mr. D. Hunt. CHILD DROWNED IN STREAM. FATALITY AT A PICNIC. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAKGANUI, Thumday. After being absent for a brief time from a picnic party, a child of four years and nine months, Ulric William Benbrook, was found drowned in ft stream several miles from Waverley to day. Artificial respiration was attempted without bucci.ss. The child was tho son of Mr, arid Mrs. Hercry Benbrook, of Waverley.