SWIMMER’S BRAVE DEED.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18240, 14 July 1931, Page 1

SWIMMER’S BRAVE DEED.

FATHER AND CHILD SAVED. BATTLE WITH WIND AND TIDE. Mr W. Mitchell, patrolman at Gu'rumbin Beach, New South Wales, recently demonstrated courage and ability when, in a herce battle against wind and tide, and without the aid of a lifebelt, he saved two people from drowning- of 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 turned to make their way home they found 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, but 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 and 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.