SAVED FROM DROWNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 8

SAVED FROM DROWNING.

TWO SWIMMERS RESCUED. ] HEAVY SURF AT NAPIER. UNABLE TO REGAIN BEACH.' PLUCKY WORK WITH LIFE-LINE. [fit TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NAPIER, Sunday. - Two persons got into difficulties in a heavy surf which was running at Napi er during tho week-end, anrl only the fact that there were strong swimmers in the vicinity on both occasions prevented the consequences from being more serious. The sea was particularly heavy to-day Eind just before noon a, thrilling rescue took place, when Mr. Winstanley rescued u companion, Mr. Mahy. Heavy rollers were coming in from the open sea, soms of them breaking well out from the beach Their sizo was sufficient to deter most ' bathers from venturing near them. Howover, Mr. Winstanley and Mr. Mahv both very strong and experienced swiminers, did not have a great deal of difficulty in getting out beyond the breakers where they appeared to enjoy themselves for a time. Drifting Toward Breakwater.

When tho men decided to regain the beach Mr. Winstanley,. the moie experienced surf-bather of the two, managed to come through the breakers without being tossed particularly heavily, but the other .swimmer was not able to swim close enough during the lull, in the wave 3 to make a similar landing. After some time it. was apparent that he would be unable to reach the shore unaided, and he was slowly drifting toward the breakwater. It was decided by those on the beach who had been watching Mr. Mahy's efforts to land that it was time to bring th« life-saving reel down to the beach and to give him assistance. Mr. Winstanley donned a belt, very pluckily, considering that he had already spent some time in tho water and had received a buffeting from the waves. Rescuer Exhausted. After a little difficulty in making his way through the breakers to the calmer sea where he could swim, Mr. Winstanley soori covered the distance to Mr. Mahy, who had swum toward h;m. As the men were being pulled to the shore the waves were breaking very heavily 6n the beach, and they %vere tossed on tho sand fairly violently by two waves. Mr. Mahy was little the worse for his experience, but Mr. Winstanley was somewhat exhausted as a result of his swim through the heavy seas dragging the lifeline with him. He received a round of applause from the people who had gathered on the beach. Incident Near Baths. A similar incident occurred on Saturday afternoon outside the Municipal Baths, but on this occasion the seas were not nearly as heavy a s they were to-day. A man who could not swim was. bathing in the wash of the waves when a particularly large one caught him unawares and carried him out qaickty. There were stronger swimmers in the sea at the time, and one of them, Mr. C. Ireland, supported tho man in difficulties and he was soon helped to the shore.