PLUCKY RESCUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 10

PLUCKY RESCUE

DROWNING BOY SAVED FALL FROM ONEHUNGA WHARF WATERSIDER'S FINE EFFORT FIGHT WITH WIND AND TIDE A fortunate escape from drowning was experienced by a nine-year-old boy, Mervyn Holmes, son of Mr. Andrew Holmes, of 17 Garland Avenue, Royal Oak, when ho fell into the Manukau Harbour while fishing from the Onehunga Wharf yesterday afternoon. Although the lad was in the water for only a comparatively short period, artificial respiration was required for an hour and a-half, and it was two hours before he fully recovered consciousness. "With a younger brother and another boy, the lad was fishing from some steps when he fell into the water. He was immediately in difficulties, and a wharf labourer working on the Hauturu, Mr. A. Field, of 11 Amaru Road, Onehunga, who saw the boy's plight, plunged in fully clothed to the rescue. He was handicapped, however, by a fishing line which had become tangled around the boy, and by the fact that wind and tide were also against him. Nevertheless he was able to keep the drowning boy supported until they could be reached in a dinghy by a Harbour Board employ ee > Mr. Henry Evans, and a Maori, Tommy Pai. In the meantime, the Onehunga police were informed and Dr. A. L. Noakes was summoned. When the boat reached the wharf with the boy and his rescuers, Dr. INoakes and Constable L. R. Morgan, of Onehunga, were waiting to apply resuscitation measures. The boy was in a serious condition, and it was two hours before he recovered consciousness fully. He was taken to his home, and late last evening it was reported he was progressing satisfactorily.