GIRL’S GAME EFFORT TO SAVE A BOY FROM DROWNING

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 January 1947, Page 5

GIRL’S GAME EFFORT TO SAVE A BOY FROM DROWNING

(P.AJ Auckland, Jan. 20. A plucky attempt was made by a 12-year-okl girl, who had only learned to swim a few weeks ago, to save the life of a boy who fell into a pool in Falls Park, Henderson, and was drowned about mid-day. The boy was Peter Crawford McCartic, aged 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. C. McCartie, of Henderson.

While swinging on a length of rope dangling from a tree over the pool, the boy, who could not swim and was fully clothed, lost his grip and fell into the water, which was about 6ft. or 7ft. deep. He was seen struggling for his life by Shirley Norton, aged 12, daughter of Constable J. Norton, of Henderson, and her companion, Ngaire Spraggon, aged 10. Although she had only learned to swim at Christmas time while she was spend* ing a holiday at Orewa, Shirlev dived into the pool without even waiting to remove her shoes. Peter was bigger than she and in trying to get him to the shore she was dragged under sev* era! times. She railed out to Ngaire on the bank to come and give some assistance, but became exhausted and had to release her hold on the boy. After Ngaire* had helped her out of the pool she ran home and explained what had happened to her father. Constable Norton went to the park with Ron Jacobs, who dived in and recovered Ihe boy’s body. In spite of artificial respiration and later attention from a doctor, ho failed to rally.