RESCUE FROM DROWNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 10

RESCUE FROM DROWNING

COMPANIONS' FINE WORK SOUTHERN BEACH INCIDENT A little seaside resort known as Campbell's Bay, situated a few miles south of Oamaru, was the scene of a i gallant effort by two young Oamaru men to save their companion, Cyril { Palmer, also of Oamaru, from drowning. It appears that Palmer, in company with Neil Fnmilton and Len Smith, went swimming in the early afternoon, I when, after a short period, it was | noticed that Palmer appeared to be in difficulties. By this time the swimmers were a good distance from the shore, and as Palmer did not answer their inquiries, both his companions became perturbed, as it was known that he had had little swimming experience. They began to swim to his aid, but before they had gone far he had disappeared. Being strong swimmers they brought him to the surface. The rescuers made good progress for a time, but they had calculated without the ebb tide, which soon had the effect of making thoir efforts wellnigh impossible. Bealising that further help was necessary to bring their companion ashore alive, both men called for assistance. Fortunately their cries were heard and a. strong swimmer set out to give assistance, while another made for the shore to make provision for their landing. By this time the rescue party had drifted with their burden under a reef south of the bay and were almost exhausted with their ell'ort.R. With the arrival of the other man, L. Watson, the trio made better headway and eventually reached shore. Palmer appeared to be dead, but a visitor from Auckland named Hoskings set about resuscitation. At first his efforts were without avail, but after working for more than an hour the patient began to recover. Within two hours he had partially recovered and was conveyed to a doctor and later was able to be taken home. Palmer is unable to account for his collapse, other than to say that he felt suddenly ill and was unable to swim against the current.