Saved from drowning IN THE EARLY EVENING of Saturday September 12, 1981, two girls, Leanne aged 10 and Lorna aged 8, were playing near the water's edge at Splash Point, to the east of Watchet Harbour mouth.

The weather was fair with a moderate breeze, force 4, blowing from the west, but although the sea was slight the swell was moderate to heavy. It was about half an hour after high water.

While the girls were playing a particularly heavy wave swept Leanne into the water. She could not swim and being unable to stay afloat, she called for help. Lorna immediately entered the water but although she managed to C O swim to Leanne her attempts to rescue her were unsuccessful. Realising that the waves of the heavy swell were too much for her, she swam ashore again to summon more help.

Meanwhile several anglers, fishing from the west breakwater, had seen the plight of the girls and had beckoned to 14-year-old Daniel Norman who was aboard his father's boat, Linbar Dan, inside the harbour. Daniel steered Linbar Dan, a ship's converted steel lifeboat, the 100 yards to the breakwater, where the anglers directed him to the girl in the water.

Daniel immediately headed out of the harbour and along the east breakwater.

He found Leanne floating face downabout 30 yards from where she had been swept into the sea. There was not enough water for him to bring his boat alongside the girl, so stopping ten feet to seaward of her he removed his shoes and pullover, threw over a lifebelt and swam towards her.

Using the lifebelt for extra buoyancy, Daniel was able to return with Leanne to the boat. Linbar Dan has a freeboard of 2'/2 feet; nevertheless, Daniel managed to clamber over the gunwale himself and then, with great difficulty, pull Leanne into the boat. As soon as she was on board Daniel started mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Daniel's father had heard what was happening and, with another man, rowed out in another boat to help.

Boarding Linbar Dan he brought her back into harbour. Leanne's breathing had been revived by the time she was landed into the care of the Coastguard.

She was taken by ambulance to hospital and was released three days later fully recovered.

For this service Daniel Norman was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum and he will also be presented with an inscribed wrist watch. In addition the Royal Humane Society has awarded Daniel its testimonial on parchment combined with a resuscitation certificate. A letter of appreciation signed by Rear Admiral W. J. Graham, director of the Institution, was sent to Lorna Webber..