MAN IN WHIRLPOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 5

MAN IN WHIRLPOOL.

Narrow Escape From Drowning. BRAVERY OF RESCUERS. A man named Frank Harris had a narrow escape from drowning when he was caught in a whirlwind while bathing near the Yanco weir, near Leeton. New South Wales. With a woman friend he entered the water above the weir. His companion was washed by the current over the weir and he went to her assistance. The woman was swept 100 yards downstream, where she grasped a willow tree and dragged herself to safety. Mr Harris, unable to get out of the whirlpool, was repeatedly sucked under water. His brother Bert dived to his rescue, but, although he is a big and powerful man, he was buffeted about like a cork, and after being drawn down several times struggled ashore exhausted. Constable Justice then leaned over a bridge spanning the weir and held out a long towel to the struggling man. Mr Harris clutched it, but wrenched it from the policeman’s hands, and he immediately sank. Mh H. Levien ran to the weir from the beach, some distance away. He plunged into the whirlpool, grasped Mr Harris and fought his way out of the whirlpool. Messrs Levien and Harris were then caught in the strong current and carried rapidly down the river. Mr Levien struggled ashore with Mr Harris 100 yards downstream. The latter recovered after an hour’s resuscitation treatment.