THRILLING SURF RESCUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 10

THRILLING SURF RESCUE.

YOUTH CARRIED OUT TO SEA.

LIFE-SAVERS' GOOD WORK.

More than 2000 people lined the cliffs at Clovelly, Sydney, on Sunday, January 10, and watched six life-s%vers battle with the heavy seas to rescue a youth, who had been swept out to sea. The life* savers were in the water for about 5(1 minutes before they were picked up by * skiff.

While swimming inside the breakwater, Edward Greaves, aged 19. was suddenly tossed by a wave over the breakwater. Huge breakers were dashing against the cliffs, and the youth was rapidly swept out to sea. A lifeline was procured, but by this time Greaves was too far out, and the line was in danger of being cut by the sharp rocks. Six life-savers, Messrs. G. Lawrence, 'L Smnmergreene, P. Pike, A. Actey, W • McCreadie and J. Fav, decided to swim out to the rescue. Greaves was then about 200 yards from the breakwater, <lnd appeared to be in difficulties. When his rescuers reached him, he was prad'callv exhausted, and they took turns in holding him up, while the remainder encircled them and threshed the water to scare away sharks, many of'which had been seen near by during the past few days. With heavy seas running, the life-savors realised that it -would be hopeless to trv to regain the rocks. In'swimvning out to Greaves, they had repeatedly beeu dashed against the rocks, and every man had been cut and badly bruised. Meanwhile the Coogee Life-Saving Club had been asked by telephone |o -send a lifeboat, and Messrs. W. Bates aucl 0. Summergreene had run about half a m >' 9 to Thomsoh's Bay- where they commandeered a 16ft. skiff. They readied tha seven men in the water before the Coogee boat arrived, and Greaves and the lifesavers scrambled aboard. The overladen skiff was frequently in danger of capsizing, but ultimately Thomson's Bay was reached. After brief treatment Greaves was able to go home. .