Mexborough and Swinton Times March 26, 1937

Rescued Child

The chance of being a lifesaver present itself to Arthur Grayson (48), single, unemployed miner, 16 Brown’s Yard, Hemingfield, in an unexpected moment on Saturday, and with commendable alacrity he grassed it, rescuing Keith Burrow, six years old son of Charles Burrow, miner, 14 Tingle Bridge Lane, Hemingfield, from a position of great peril.

Returning from Wombwell, where he had been to draw his dole, Grayson was ascending the hill near the Milton Arms hotel, Hemingfield, when he noticed that a private car which had been standing on the nearside of the road facing Jump had began to run backwards. He was powerless to stop it and as it reached him he noticed a child standing on the running board on the nearside and clinging to the open door.

Grayson rushed to the child and snatched it up in his arms. He then saw the car go down the hill mount the pavement and wedge itself between a lamp standard and a brick wall. The lampstand was broken and the car was severely damaged. Grayson said he was under the impression that the boy was going to leap and he shouted to stop him from doing so.

“Had he jumped,” he said, “I think he would have been killed or badly injured. If he had gone down the hill with the car he would have been sandwiched between the lamppost and the wall. It was lucky that I came up at that moment. The boy looked terrified.”

Keith was thoroughly scared by his adventure, but after a few moments he was no worse for it. It is believed that children playing about the car accidentally released the brakes while the owner, Miss Whiteley, of “Strathmore,” Keresforth Road Barnsley was in a house.

Grayson was warmly complemented by the bystanders for his presence of mind and prompt action.