DROWING FATALITY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 40, 16 January 1945, Page 5

DROWING FATALITY

YOUTH'S LIFE LOST

STRUGGLE IN THE BREAKERS

Whilst bathing in the heavy surf at Thornton Beach, on $un_d!ay a sixteen-year-old youth Samuel Alexander was drowned' after being drawn into the breakers, from which efforts made to effect a rescue proved' without avail. A close watch along the coast is being maintained by the police for the recovery of the body # which up "to the time of going to pres(s "was still missing.

A high wind had whipped up a particularly strong surf along the •coast when young Robb together with several friends entered the sea ■with the idea of 'shooting' them, -about 2 p.m. The party had been swimming for a short time when . Robb was seen to be in difficulties. In answer to his call for help two •of his. mates Leslie Baldock and Frank Davidson both of Thornton, struggled through the waves to where he was fighting to keep his ihead above water. As they reached him, they state that young Robb " %vas struggling hard and they had the greatest difficulty in being of • as • his actions hampered ( •their movements. Both had become • exhausted and with the waves beating against them ail three had drifted apart again. Baldock and Davidson had reached the shore only with -the greatest difficulty and had in their turn to be assisted to the sand. Further efforts to rescue Robb were rendered almost impossible owing to the high sea which was running and the difficulty of. locating his whereabouts. All sign of him had been Ipst and although a careful watch was kept, with bathers in i readiness to go to his no sign of him was discovered. The police were notified shortly -after the accident, and have been •engaged on the search for the body, -which it is- expected will be washed »up along the eastern: coast. Watch- • <ers from Ohiwa to Tauranga are co--operating. A TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY ? ' NO DISTRICT CORONER r ? In the event of an inquest becoming necessary, in connection with 'the above or any other fatality in the Whakatane district, it will be -essential for the police to • invoke old which demands the of an acting Coroner, .and a juiy of four in order to arrive at an official verdict, as to the c&£sc »of death.

This position has arisen from the '•death of the late Mr T. J'. Cum-t mings } whose appointment as Coroner in succession to Mr G. A. Brabant was made only a short time before his death. Since that date, there has been no other appointment made and the. law provides that •"when a state arises a deputy Coroner shall be enlisted in the per- • son of any acting Justice of the P/eace. This official is assisted in ctfming to a decision by a jury of four reputable citizens.. It will be necessary therefore to adopt such until such time as an appointment is made from one of two names- which have already gone forward to the Justice Department.