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Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 25

A remarkable rescue from drowning was made at the Clive Grange beach, near Hastings, recently. Verdon Donovan, aged eight, was swept into the river by a wave from the sea, which dashed over a narrow nock of land. A lad named Lawrence Handcock called out to the other children to “grasp wrists and form a chain.” He took the end of the chain, and was just unable to reach the sinking child. But he managed to swing out sufficiently far to catch Donovan with his foot, bring him to the surface, and then grab hold of him. When brought ashore the child was black and stiff, but resuscitation measures were applied with the help of a man who arrived, and in 10 minutes animation was restored, and next day the boy was stated to be quite well.