CUT OFF BY THE TIDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 371, 15 September 1930, Page 9

CUT OFF BY THE TIDE

DRAMA ON A SANDBANK. In the nick of time a young couple who wore cut off by the tide on a sandbank about three miles from Fleetwood were rescued by a motor-boat. The experience befell Leonard Coupe, 20, of Hawkfield Road, Accrington, and Annie Dewhurst, 20, of Marlborough Road, Accrington, who were spending a holiday at Fleetwood. While walking on the sands they failed to notice the incoming tide, and they soon found themselves surrounded. Luckily, their plight was noticed, and motor-boats made a thrilling dash to the rescue. Before the couple could be reached, however, they were swept off the sandbank by the tide.

David Wood, one of the rescuers, afterwards stated: u As we approached the sandbank we could just see the head and shoulders of someone in the water. Then we lost sight of tho couple, owing to breakers sweeping over the bank. As wo got closer we saw that the man was keeping the woman afloat. The man appeared to be a good swimmer, but the woman could not swim. They were floating, and tho tide was whirling them round in circles. When wo reached them the woman was semi-conscious. The man was able to scramble on board, although he collapsed when wo got him to the hospital.” The rescue was watched by hundreds of people on shore.