SWIMMER’S BRAVE DEED

Taranaki Daily News, 7 July 1931, Page 7

SWIMMER’S BRAVE DEED

FATHER AND CHILD SAVED.

battue with wind and tide.

Mr. W. Mitchell, patrolman at Curumbin beach, New South Wales, recently demonstrated courage and ability when, in a fierce battle against wind and tide, and without the aid of a lifebelt, he saved two people from drowning off Curumbin Rock. Mr. Mitchell, his brother, Mr. A. Mitchell, and his brother’s daughter, aged three years, were fishing from the rocks and failed to notice the rising tide. When they tutrned to make their way home they foujnd themselves cut off by 150 yards of rough water. It was growing dark, and they decided to attempt the crossing. They left their fishing tackle behind.

The father swam -with his daughter on his back, bust before they had made half the journey a strong, sweeping current caused Mr. A. Mitchell to become exhausted, and he- called to his brother to take the child. They struggled on again. Then Mr. A. Mitchell, said, “I’m done, Bill; save the child.” The patrolman, who already was rapidly tiring, turned back, and, swimming on his back,.with a heavy man encircled by one arm aisd the child on the other, he brought them ashore. Father and daughter were dragged ashore in an unconscious state. After bringing both back to sensibility the patrolman collapsed from strain.