GALLANT RESCUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 17

GALLANT RESCUE

MAN FALLS FROM TRAIN PLUNGES INTO CREEK SAVED BY PASSENGER [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, June 20 When a train stopped on the Dora Creek bridge, near Newcastle, a passenger, Mr. illiam .Tames Curtain, aged 49, throught it was a railway station, stepped from a carriage, and foil 30ft. between the girders into a creek. Mr. Milton Webber, who had been seated in the same compartment, jumped to the rescue in pitch darkness. He swam round for some time before he located Mr. Curtain, who was almost unconscious. Torches were shone on the water, and Mr. Webber could be seen holding up Mr. Curtain. A porter at the Dora Creek station secured a boat and rowed to the men's assistance, Mr. Webber guiding him by shouts. Mr. Curtain was taken to the station and placed before a fire wrapped in blankets, later being taken to hospital suffering from shock and immersion. "1 did it without thought," said Mr. Webber, describing tlie rescue. '.'Mr. Curtain called for help and I realised that he was in a bad way. It was pretty cold. Stripping off a few clothes, I jumped in feet first. I reached him and dragged him to a pile. My fingers were cut by shells, but I supported him for five minutes until the boat reached us." Mr. Curtain praised the bravery of his rescuer. "1 thought the train was pulling out of Dora Creek station," lie said, "and I jumped out so as not to be carried on. 1 thought we were still at the station. It gave me a terrible shock to fall into the icy cold water." It stunned me."