Martine Parade: It happens again

On the 25th of January 1972, along with Greg Woodham (who still lives in Hawke's Bay) I saved a young 7 year old called Tod Parker at exactly the same spot on Marine Parade.

Tod was playing along the foreshore just near the sunken gardens when a large wave caught him and swept him out to sea. The incident was widley reported as the Harlem Globe Trotters were in town an the TV cameras were at the foreshore waiting their arrival.

I was awarded a Royal Human Society Bronze medal for my efforts and Tod's parents presented me with the watch which reads: "Heart felt thanks for saving our son's life."

I still have that watch. I was reunited with Tod just two years ago in Napier where he lives with his partner. All credit in todays story to the German tourist who had the presence of mind to initiate a rescue effort.

Tim Molloy