8mm Forum: Saved From Drowning

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Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on December 30, 2012, 04:56 PM:

I thought I would post this remarkable story of bravery that hit the main news here this weekend.

Two young 12year old boys saved a man from drowning when he was caught in a rip and being taken out to sea. The boys saw the man was in distress and swam out to help him, even with the knowledge that the rip was dangerous to their own safety.

When they got to the man he was in serious trouble and was trying to grab them to stay afloat about 100m from the shore. The boys kept their cool and helped the man to slowly swim back against the rip. When they got to the shore the man collapsed and the boys then moved him over into the recovery position until help arrived.

The paramedic said they had done an exceptional job, and police were full of praise saying the boys were small and were fighting a 1.5 meter swell.

The man was taken to hospital and later discharged, he wants to meet up them, as without the help from those two remarkable 12year olds he would have surely drowned.

With only hours until we move into another year, I think its a nice way to finish this year, in such a positive way.

Regards Graham.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on December 30, 2012, 06:18 PM:

Great story Graham. Definately renews your faith in today's younger generation.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on December 30, 2012, 06:22 PM:

Thank the Lord for those two brave youngsters and that all three
are safe,what better Christmas gift.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on December 30, 2012, 09:57 PM:

God Bless and keep those 2 boys for the rest of their lives.

Posted by David M. Ballew (Member # 1818) on December 30, 2012, 11:52 PM:

Those are two fine young men. I'm proud of them, and I don't even know them. God bless them and the man they saved.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 01, 2013, 02:23 PM:

Thought you might be interested in a follow up article to the story as "written" from the press.

The man was Mr Shao a 32-years old a married father of one and was a competent swimmer, but he fought against the current a common mistake that quickly renders inexperienced ocean swimmers exhausted.

Had the boys not swum to his aid, Mr Shao said he would have definitely given up, I thought I was going to die.

Will "left in the photo" is a member of the Waihi Beach surf lifesaving club and had been training as a nipper for four years, so he stayed with Mr Shao while his cousin Sergio "right in the photo" swam ashore to get help.

"When I almost gave up, the boy "Will" gave me hope Mr Shao said."

"You can see the hope there and you will try your best to survive even though you are very tired. Thats why the boy Will really helped and, I want to say thank you."

Mr Shao wants to meet all those that helped him.

The end of the press article states.

Quote.

"But Mr Shao owes his life to Will who gave him "hope" when he had none".

Graham.

PS. After reading this story and talking to my wife we are going to encourage the grandkids even though they are still very young to learn to swim, I think its a must.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 01, 2013, 03:17 PM:

I well remember one of your own countrymen over here doing a series
of public information films on kids learning to swim,Mr Rolf Harris
who almost drowned as a youngster.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 01, 2013, 05:49 PM:

Thanks Hugh

But "Rolf Harris" is a Australian [Big Grin]

Graham

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 01, 2013, 05:57 PM:

Sorry Graham, my faux pas, and a Happy New Year.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 01, 2013, 09:37 PM:

Hugh

I always liked Rolf Harris, his music and drawings were always very good, very clever stuff. [Smile]

Have a happy New Year [Smile]

Graham.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 01, 2013, 10:27 PM:

quote:
But "Rolf Harris" is a Australian

But no one knows the different between Australian and NZ flags... [Big Grin]

ps: that's the joke (and the reality) I found when I live in Australia.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 02, 2013, 01:28 AM:

Spot the difference [Big Grin]

Graham.

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