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Kaitaia, Tuesday, January 10, 2017
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Many heroes save a life
Family thanks heroes for daughter’s life
Kaitaia couple Vicki and Karlos Marron will be forever grateful that their 2-year-old daughter Keva did not lose her life when she fell into the adult pool at Kaitaia’s public swimming baths on December 11. They were distressed, however, by the version of events published on December 13 (Pool rescue ‘by the book’), which they said was inaccurate, did not acknowledge those who had helped save their daughter’s life, and inferred that they were bad parents. “Many heroes helped save our daughter’s life,” Mrs Marron said. “I need that to be known so I can be happy in my heart.” “All we care about is that our daughter is still here with us, but we need to tell our story so we can have real closure,” her husband added. Keva, who was at the baths with her brothers Khardinn (11) and Austin (8) for the Child Cancer Foundation Christmas party, had spent much of the afternoon in the children’s pool, under the
" ... we need to tell our story so we can have real closure."
Karlos Marron on the rescue of daughter Keva, 2
HAPPY FAMILY: Keva Marron, safe again in mum Vicki’s arms, with dad Karlos (second left), brothers Khardinn and Austin, Wayne and Taunaha Smith.
constant supervision of her parents. Late in the day, as everyone was packing up, she had left the water, but somehow fell into the adult pool. At that stage there
were about a dozen children present, six of them, including Austin, and an adult, in the water. A 9-year-old girl raised the alarm, Austin going to his sister’s aid, lifting her (although she was
not face-down, as originally reported). The lifeguard — a second lifeguard who had been there earlier had left — who had been sitting in a chair near the pool office, phoned for an ambulance, having to give the address twice. Mr Marron, who dived into the pool, lifted Keva out of the water and began CPR, finally snatched the phone and gave the address a third time. Keva was showing no signs of life, and it took several minutes of CPR, performed by her father then Taunaha Smith, another member of the Child Cancer Foundation, to bring her around. The lifeguard had gone into shock, Mrs Smith said, but responded to her request for assistance, breathing for Keva while Mrs Smith continued CPR. Throughout this time Austin was offering encouragement and comforting his older brother. ● CONTINUED PAGE 3
Zion sets the bar high with catch At just 5 years old, keen young Waipapakauri fisherman Zion Parker no doubt has many years of classic catches ahead of him, but it might be some time before he beats the snapper he landed outside Houhora over Christmas. He caught the 18-pounder on a Warehouse sprat rod, with a little help from his dad, Eru, who reckons
his protege loves fishing more than anything — and this will only have made him keener.
FOR HIS NEXT TRICK: Five-year-old Zion Parker with his monster snapper.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
Scheepers Refrigeration - Refrigeration maintenance, supply and installation - Air conditioning/Heatpumps - Milk refrigeration
IN BRIEF No food
On December 29 the Northland Age advised that food, drink and animals were permitted near the Cape Reinga lighthouse (DoC all set for a busy summer). In fact food, drink and animals are not permitted. The Northland Age apologises for the error.
Race cancelled
This year’s Te Houtaewa (Ninety Mile) Beach Race has been cancelled, as a result of failing to secure a key sponsor and a lack of early registrations. Spokesman Robin Shepherd said that while there had been a rush of late entries in the past, that had not been financially “satisfactory”. The organisers thanked those who had shown interest, and were now seeking a major sponsor for 2018.
Who cares?
Eighty-three per cent of respondents to last week’s Northland Age online poll don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Of the remainder, 12 per cent of those who did said they didn’t keep them. This week’s poll (www.northlandage.co.nz) asks whether parents should be paid by the taxpayer to stay home with their children.
Not much use
Police were a little non-plussed by the two boys, aged 5 and 6, who were caught stealing a pair of pants and an analogue watch, which they couldn’t read, from The Warehouse in Kaitaia. The youngsters were taken home to what an officer described as angry parents.
And assault
Police arrested a local woman who left the Kaikohe Four Square last week without paying for some items. She returned later that evening, allegedly assaulting the owner and a female staff member while they waited for the police to arrive. She was found a short time later on Clifford St.