HEROIC ACTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22004, 10 January 1935, Page 11

HEROIC ACTION

ATTEMPTED RESCUE FAILS SWIMMER GIVES HIS LIFE COMMENI BY THE CORONER NOBLE SELF-SACRIFICE [from our own correspondent] PUKEKOHE, Wednesday The heroic action of Mr. Boy Lowrie, aged 26, a farmer, of Bombay, who gave his life in an endeavour to save Mr. Hex. Bush from drowning in the AVaikato River on Christmas Day, was referred to by the coroner, Mr. C. K. Lawrie, at the conclusion of the inquest to-day. ''Mr. Lowrie's act in going to the help of one in difficulties without a moment's hesitation, although that one was a stranger to him, was in accord with the highest and best British traditions," Mr. Lawrie said. "At the first call for help, Mr. Lowrie plunged into the water and gave of his utmost to save him to whose aid he had gone," he continued. "In his magnificent eflort, he exhausted his own strength and was unable again to reach land. As an example of noble self-sacrifice, his deed evokes our reverent admiration, and the deepest sympathy of the citizens of the Dominion goes out to the relatives in their tragic bereavement. May it be of comfort to them to know that in losing him as they did on Christmas Day, the manner of his death exemplified the true spirit of Christmas —the spirit of goodwill and self-sacrifice that does not hesitate to give oven life itself when the call comes."

An eye-witness of the tragedy, Thomas Meek, of Buckland, had given evidence that he was on the sandbank at the edge of the river about 400vds. above the Tuakau Bridge on Christmas afternoon when Mr. Bush and a companion, Mr. Archer Bell, were in the water bathing. They wero about a chain away from witness. Mr. Bell called for help, as Mr. Bush was in difficulties. Mr. Lowrie and his wife had just arrived on the sandbank with their two children. On hearing the call, Mr. Lowrie rushed into the river to assist Mr. Bush. Mr. Lowrie was clad in a shirt and trousers. He reached Mr. Bush, but the latter disappeared under the water. Mr. Lo\vrie then turned toward the bank.

He then appeared to be in difficulties himself and sank. He appeared again for about a second, but sank again and was drowned. Mr. Bush was also drowned.

The coroner said the only verdict that could be returned was one of accidental drowning. He added a rider to the effect that the local authority concerned should erect a notice board at the edge of the river by the sandbank warning the public that bathing there was dangerous. Since he had been coroner five people had lost their lives there by drowning. He commended Constable C. Robb, of Tuakau, for recovering the bodies on the day of the tragedy by diving in about 12ft. of water.

SAVED FROM DROWNING BOY IN DIFFICULTIES RESCUER'S FINE ACHIEVEMENT [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] GISBORNE, Wednesday The rescue from drowning of Keith McKay, aged 8, took place in the harbour diversion cut yesterday afternoon. A strong current was running upstream, and the boy was carried from the mouth of the cut for about 200vds. Ho was rescued in an exhausted condition. Many children, among others, were bathing on the beach, and, as a result of the drift caused by the wind, the bathers became concentrated between the beach pavilion and the cut. Keith McKay was' swept from the sandbank at the mouth of the cut, and the current took him into deep water. Mr. J. Glover, jun., saw the boy's difficulties and immediately swam across the cut, eventually taking him from the water to a small sandbank beside the concrete wall. The boy was unconscious by that time, and Mr. Glover hoisted him on to the wall, where he began artificial respiration. Constable Hcndren, who had also been swimming, had his attention drawn by some children to the man and boy and swam across. He rendered assistance and the boy was revived. When this was accomplished a boat was secured and the boy was brought back across the stream and taken home. Nothing more was seen of. the rescuer And his identity remained unknown until to-daj'.