BEACH TRAGEDY

Chronicle (Levin), 10 February 1947, Page 4

BEACH TRAGEDY

Levin Man Drowned When Boat Capsizes One man was drowned and anotfier- had a £ortunate> e$capq when a 10-foot rowing boat capsized in the snrf off Waitarere Beach yesterday. He was: Patrick Aylward, a farmer-, aged 49, married with oite »ehild:, residing in Mako Mako Road, Levin. The other occnpant of the boat was Aylward's brother-in-law, William John Crighto^ aged 63, a sawmiller, of Heepa Street, Weraroa. The aecident occurred at 4; p.m. Crighton was rowing and the boat was approximately 75 yards off the shore. It was. their eighth trip ou,t that day. # - According to eyewitness re,~ ports, the boat,- wh'ich was a sturdy, clinker-built type, was caught by a sudden cross wave and. capsized immediately, throwing the o.ccupafits into the surf. Aylfvard made two attempts to clamber on to the boat, but was washed off. When he was making his second attempt, Crighton swaip out to retrieve an oar, but was overcome by the strong current and having secured the oar, could only cling on to it. Seeing their predicament, Mr. L. Loomas, of Shannon, went to the rescue and brought . Crighton to the shore in an exhausted condition. He then took a reel out to- Aylward, who was also. successfu.Uy brought to the beach, but failed to respond to continued artificial respiration. An inquest was opened w Levin last night before the dis,trict coroner, Mr. J. S. Moir, when evidence of identification was taken. Constable W. R. Gillespie represented the police. The inquest will be contipued at a later date.