Mexborough and Swinton Times May 27, 1938

Wombwell Man’s 100 Yards Race To Save Child From Drowning

The feeling is strong at Wombwell Junction that some recognition ought to be extended to Alonzo Turner, unemployed miner, 3. Foulstone Row, Wombwell, who is the hero of a plucky rescue from drowning at Brampton.

The facts are that Turner was visiting the home of his sister at Brampton, when his niece ran into the house saying that her friend, Margaret Lunn (7), daughter of Mr. and Mrs Edmund Lunn, 82, Wath Road, Wombwell Junction, had fallen into the canal.

Without hesitation Turner rushed down to the canal 100 yards away and when he arrived there was nothing to indicate when the child had fallen in the water except bubbles on the water. Turner, with all his clothes and except for his coat, dived into 10 feet of water under the bridge and began to explore the bottom of the canal. At Iast he found the child and got her to the side, where he applied artificial respiration until Dr. Bailey was called. Dr. Bailey continued the work, but something like an hour elapsed before the child fully regained consciousness. Meanwhile the parents were distracted.

Seen by a ‘Times” reporter, Mr. Lunn said he could only describe the rescue as “wonderful.” Mrs. Lunn said it would have been “all up” with the child had it not been for Turner and Dr. Bailey. The child was just coming round when they got there.

Turner is off work with nystagmus, but he is no worse for his immersion. He learned to swim at Wath baths

It is stated that the two children were throwing sticks into the water, when Margaret slipped on a piece of concrete paving and fell in.