AEROPLANE SEARCH FOR BODY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 8

AEROPLANE SEARCH FOR BODY

Lyall Bay Drowning

CARRIED TO SEA BY STRONG UNDERTOW

An aeroplane searched the sea off Lyall Bay, Wellington, yesterday, and other attempts were organised without avail when news was received that there had been a drowning accident, and that the body of a man bad been carried out of sight in a strong offshore current. The man was Albert John Sidey, aged 50, who lived at 28 Are Street. He was a wool-storeman at T. and W. Young’s, Egmont Street, and he is survived by his wife and three children, aged about twelve, ten and four respectively.

Shortly after 9.a.m. yesterday a man who was swimming well out at Lyall Bay was seen from the shore to disappear. A strong shore breeze and an exceptionally high tide, which was on the ebb, made conditions rather dangerous, and’ it was thought that the man, although he was noticed to be swimming strongly just previously, had been caught in the undertow and was being carried out to sea. One of those who saw him disappear was H. C. Downs, junior member of the Maranui Surf and Life-Saving Club. Downs immediately swam out but could find nothing, and returned to rhe beach. With the help of others near by the club’s surf boat was then launched, with Carl Eversleigh, a former New Zealand champion beltman. at the sweep. Near the spot where the bather had last been seen, those in the boat spent a considerable time diving, without success, and it was then decided that probably the only practical search would be from the air.

Rongotai Aerodrome responded when communicated with, and in a short time Captain G. Bolt was flying over the locality in another unsuccessful effort. Outside the breakers a moderate swell was running.

The bather apparently had had no acquaintances on the beach, and for several hours his identity was not known. In the shed his clothes were found, and when these were examined by Constable R. Anderson he found a diary containing a telephone number. The number was found to communicate with Mr. Sidey’s. house, and the required information was- given for identification purposes by Mr. H. G. Rowe, his brother-in-law, who lives in the same house.

Mr. McDonald, the beach custodian, refused to allow children or other inexperienced swimmers to bathe during the day as there were only two or three surf clu]) inembers at hand, and he would have had an over-responsible task in looking after the bathers. Over the week-end, should conditions continue. both life-saving clubs (Lyall Bay and Maranui) will be at full strength to look after the interests of bathers.