CONSTABLE’S PLUCKY ACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19733, 30 December 1926, Page 10

CONSTABLE’S PLUCKY ACT

RESCUE FROM DROWNING. INCIDENT NEAR NAFFER. The incidents leading up to the rescue by Constable W. A. Lean, of Gisborne, of a mental patient who jumped overboard from the steamer Wainui in the Napier Harbour on ihe morning of December 3, have been narrated bv Captain Hoddinett, master of the Wainui. Constable Lean was escorting a mental patient southwards from Gisborne. He had experienced little trouble on the trip and, anticipating an early arrival at Napier, had his patient on deck. The constable’s first intimation that there was a likelihood of trouble was the sight of his charge leaping over the rail into the sea. Constable Lean did not hesitate. Pausing only to discard his coat, he plunged overboard, risking as ho struck the water being pulled under the stern and cut to pieces by the propellor, and also taking a big risk in the shark-in-fested water. The vessel passed on and Constable Lean was left in the sea, alone with a man not responsible for his actions. The constable was lucky to catch the man from behind when he was almost exhausted, and holding him under the armpit in the approved way, had time to look back for the Wainui, which to him must have appeared to be gone for ever. With the way on it took almost a quarter of a mile to check the vessel and turn the bow round. On board the ship all was excitement. Preparations were, of course, made to lower a boat, but practically 25 minutes elapsed before the Wainui eased up near the constable and a boat put off to pick up the two men. All this time there was a danger of sharks, and with a charge in such a mental condition, there was every possibility of him turning troublesome and endeavouring to injure his rescuer. Heavy rubber-soled boots and clothes, combined with the icy-cold water, also made drowning by exhaustion every minute more apparent. A good rub down and a change of clothing at Napier, however, left both parties little the worse for their severe ducking. Already Constable Lean’s action has received recognition in the police force, and now the Royal Humane Society is investigating the matter.