ORDEAL IN SEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 167, 18 July 1939, Page 7

ORDEAL IN SEA

MAN CLINGS TO DINGHY FINE WAITABA RESCUE. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 17. After clinging to a capsized, halfsubmerged dinghy for nearly an hour and a-half Thomas Heath, a Maori labourer, aged about 35 years, was rescued in a semi-conscious condition from a choppy sea off the Waitara west beach early yesterday. “If we had been another 15 minutes reaching him,” said Constable F. Lemm, who directed the rescue, “it would probably have been too late.” Paralysed by cold and exhausted by continuous immersion in the choppy sea, Mr. Heath remembered little of the episode. It was recalled that a few years ago he was responsible for rescuing a Waitara boy from drowning in the river. Mr. Heath went out about 6.30 a.m. for a day's fishing in a dinghy borrowed from Mr. F. Rattenbury. The capsized boat was seen from the west beach at about 8.30 o'clock by Mrs. Ching, who immediately telephoned Constable Lemm. He communicated with Captain T. J. Wood, harbourmaster, and Captain W. J. Laing, a launch owner, and, with Messrs. Dan Potaka and Henry Taiuru, who were on the wharf, the launch was on its way within a quarter o-f. an hour. i ‘‘Captain Laing’s handling of his

■ boat was magnificent,” said Constable j Lemm last night in explaining that ! Heath and the boat were drifting . [about half a mile from shore and [close to the mussel reef west of the river mouth. When the launch I reached the bar it could be seen that i with the proximity of the reef and broken water it would be difficult to . reach the dinghy. Had it not oeen 'for a drift to the east the launch imight not have been able to venture : so close to the reef in time. After careful manoeuvring, however, the launch was steered alongside the dinghy. A lifebelt was thrown to Mr. Heath, who was able to hook an arm through it. With the other he was grasping a. rope attached to the dinghy, and it was with some difficulty that he was hauled on board the . launch from the choppy sea in his semi-conscious condition. As the launch party was unaware how many had been in the dinghy the craft circled in the vicinity until Mr. I Heath could be roused sufficiently to ' indicate that he had been alone. He was attended by Dr. R. L. Barclay when the launch returned to the Waitara wharf and was later confined to his home. His condition is satisfactory, all hough he is being kept under observation in case of complications. Because of Mr. Heath's precarious condition no attempt was made to rescue the dinghy, which might have! fouled the launch propeller. | “As it was Mr. Heath had a lucky escape,” said Constable Lemm. “Had we been 15 minutes later I think he would have been drowned.”