David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Pair rescued after ride on inflatable doll hits a snag
by Nathan Mawby, Herald Sun
January 16, 2011
Australia -- As they worked to fight floods across the state emergency services workers had to take time out to rescue a dim-witted duo riding an inflatable doll down the Yarra River.
The man and woman, both 19, were left clinging to a fallen gum tree in the middle of the river in North Warrandyte when one of the doll's snagged on the tree and their caper went horribly wrong about 4.30 pm.
An SES watercraft came to their rescue not far from Bradleys Lane about an hour later.
While it is understood the blow up doll and several other inflatable items were salvaged from the scene, the bottoms of the rescued woman's bathers were long gone down the river.
A blanket was required to protect her modesty as she exited the water.
Police said this morning the pair had just floated by the Pound Bend Tunnel when the water became turbulent and the women lost her grip on the doll and grabbed hold of the floating tree.
Sen-Constable Wayne Wilson said a passer-by heard the pair's calls, and called triple zero.
A kayaker took life jackets to the distressed pair, before the SES managed to get an inflatable boat to the scene.
Sen-Constable Wilson said the pair did not need medical help.
The incident led police to warn that blow-up dolls were not recognised floatation devices.
by Nathan Mawby, Herald Sun
January 16, 2011
Australia -- As they worked to fight floods across the state emergency services workers had to take time out to rescue a dim-witted duo riding an inflatable doll down the Yarra River.
The man and woman, both 19, were left clinging to a fallen gum tree in the middle of the river in North Warrandyte when one of the doll's snagged on the tree and their caper went horribly wrong about 4.30 pm.
An SES watercraft came to their rescue not far from Bradleys Lane about an hour later.
While it is understood the blow up doll and several other inflatable items were salvaged from the scene, the bottoms of the rescued woman's bathers were long gone down the river.
A blanket was required to protect her modesty as she exited the water.
Police said this morning the pair had just floated by the Pound Bend Tunnel when the water became turbulent and the women lost her grip on the doll and grabbed hold of the floating tree.
Sen-Constable Wayne Wilson said a passer-by heard the pair's calls, and called triple zero.
A kayaker took life jackets to the distressed pair, before the SES managed to get an inflatable boat to the scene.
Sen-Constable Wilson said the pair did not need medical help.
The incident led police to warn that blow-up dolls were not recognised floatation devices.
