A PLUCKY RESCUE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11706, 19 December 1923, Page 8

A PLUCKY RESCUE

SAVED FROM DROWNING. ONE-ARMED MAN DOES GOOD SERVICE. (By Telegraph—Special to ‘‘Times.’’) AUCKLAND, December 18. Some visitor® to St. HeJlyer’s creek had an exciting time on Sunday afternoon. About 4 q’clock a young man, Leslie Sparnon, had a narrow escape from drowning while bathing in the creek near Birkdale. Sparnon, who is a powerful swimmer, crossed over the creek at it® widest .part, and on the return swim was seized with cramp in both legs. Cries for help were Heard by several people on the shore, and one of these, Harry Carlsen, very pluckily went to the rescue of the man in trouble. Carlsen had the misfortune to lose an arm some time ago, which renders his act all the more courageous. He swam out to Sparnon, a.nd told him to put one hand on his shoulder, and by that mean? managed to bring him within about 60 yard® of the shore. By that time Carlsen was getting spent, and Bparnon said: “Go on for your own life, don’t wait for me. This was not, however, the idea of th® reamer who replied: “Give me a spell. They soon started again, but matters 'would have gone hard with both of them had it not been for two other swimmers appearing on the scene. These mvam £moss from the opposite side of the creek, and brought both men safely nslioru amidst the cheers of the people who, by that time, bad reached the some time ago, brought a man ashore at Shelly Beach, and also on another occasion stopped a runaway horse. These incidents occurred since he lost his arm, a deprivation which evidently does not interfere much with hi® efforts m the interest of his fellow men.