8mm Forum: Saved From Drowning

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Topic: Saved From Drowning

Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 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.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted December 30, 2012 06:18 PM

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

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Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God

Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012

posted December 30, 2012 06:22 PM

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

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted December 30, 2012 09:57 PM

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

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David M. Ballew
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 113
From: Burbank, CA USA
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 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.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 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.

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Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God

Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012

posted 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.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted January 01, 2013 05:49 PM

Thanks Hugh

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