A memorial day for one of our long standing friends. He was a surfer in 1964 when another young guy was taken by a shark who bit one leg right off and mangled the other. Ian, our friend paddled over and together with another surfer friend heaved this young guy on to their boards and paddled as fast as they could for the shore. Two sharks were seen circling them coming as close as 2 feet all the way in! The trail of blood meant the young victim died before reaching the shore. Ian and his friend, Sandy received 4 awards for this rescue including the supreme award, the George Cross.
Today they were visiting St Clair Beach in Dunedin, NZ where this happened and where this photo is that I took some time ago.
Three good things:
1 Our friend Ian is a very modest and wonderful friend.
2. I walked down to the local supermarket to get a paper with this article in and met 6 people, all of whom said, Good morning!
3. Our sun umbrella broke for the 4th time- we might make better arrangements now for the shade in the summer.
A beautiful memorial image!! What an incredible story of bravery and sad loss of life. What an impact this must have had on your friend Ian's life to be returning to the beach all these years later. Wow the George Cross that really is something!! Super shot Maggiemae with a great story to go with it!!
This is a very moving story and a great tribute to friendship and loyalty. Their heroic act truly gives us hope for mankind. Beautiful picture and processing.
What a sad and horrible thing, and what courage Ian and Sandy showed on that day. I like your tribute to them, and your processing here is appropriate.
Great shot for such a mix-of-emotions kind of story. In one hand it's sad but somehow it's beautiful to know someone automatically had a knowing to try and get the guy out of the water. May the light be with him. ♥
What a terrifying story maggie....i had no idea there were sharks so close to the shore....such brave men & a tragedy for the young man & his family.
Life is very precious.
Your neighbourhood sounds very friendly.
That is a beautifully tragic story! The courage of those young men, risking their lives to help another is one that should be retold. I'm sure they didn't do it for the awards and accolades, but it's nice that they were recognized for their valor! Thank you for sharing!
I heard this on TV the other night. First time in 50 years they had met up and the brother too. How brace were these young men. Good symbolism in the photo 👍
Lovely tribute photo Maggie. Re your no. 2, Paul and I found the South Island a super friendly place each time we have visited. Particularly in the smaller towns, in the shops, cafés and on the streets.
Nice shot! Very touching story. So sad about their friend dying. And they were quite heroic trying to save him! This is a lovely tribute shot. Nice processing.
October 30th, 2013
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I love your good point 2, it is great when that happens:0)
Life is very precious.
Your neighbourhood sounds very friendly.