MAN FEARED DROWNED AFTER RESCUING DAUGHTER

Chronicle (Levin), 12 January 1948, Page 8

MAN FEARED DROWNED AFTER RESCUING DAUGHTER

WELLINGTON, Jan. 11. After re'seuing his 11-ye'ar-old daughter when she got into difficulties whiie bathing at Raumati Soiith this afternoon, Dr. Athol Reajr Perguson Alackay, second Assistant Secretary to the Treastu'y, himself got into difficulties' and is believed to have been drowned. No trace of ' his body had been founa a| a late hour tonight. ^)r. Maekay's daughter, Valerie, and Clare Childs, aged about 12, of Raumati, had been bathing at about 5.3U when Ciare Childs repbrted Valerie Mackay in difficulties. Dr. Mackay j immediately went out followed by Mrs. | Holland. He was bringing his daughter in when she was taken from him by a stranger thought to be a me'mber of the Manly Life Saving Club, Sydney, who applied successful resuscitative measures. Mrs. Holland was returning to the beach when she noticed that Dr. Mackay was missing. An alarm was immediately given and within a fe^ minutes members of the' Paekakariki Life Saving Club had a reel on the spot. The full muster of club members took part in the search for Dr. Mackay.. There was a fair surf running at the time. The efforts of the life saving team were unsuccessful. Tavo aircratt from the Wellington Aero ' Club left Rongotai about (5.40 to join in tne search but their pilots had seen nothing pf the missing man when they returned shortly after 8 0 'clock. - Dr. Mackay, whose home was at Homewood Avenue, Karori, Wvtlhngton, is survived by his wife, daughter and son. He was on holiday at tne beach. ,