MAN DROWNED

Evening Star, Issue 20051, 17 December 1928, Page 9

MAN DROWNED

TRAGIC Engine TO BATHE A young and popular resident of Puketeraki, William White, was drowned while bathing at that seaside resort yesterday. _ _ 1 White resided with his parents at their farm just above the Puketeraki railway station, and, with his two younger brothers, he left his home about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon to have a bathe. All three entered the water at the southern end of the beach at a spot where they had been accustomed to bathe for some years past. According to the story told by the brothers, they noticed a fairly strong backwash immediately they entered the water, ami one of them was washed off his feet. They all went out a little further, but found themselves in a hole, and they thought it advisable to return to the beach. This they proceeded to do, aud when the two younger boys reached the sand they turned round, hut could seo no sign of their brother.' As neither of them was a strong swimmer they ran along the beach in search of someone who. could swim well, but were unsuccessful. With some other, men they returned to the spot where they had gone in, hut could see nothing of their brother. On learning of thj happening a number of residents of Karitane went out in the Seacliff Mental Hospital’s fishing launch, and they cruised around just beyond the breakers for some time, but saw nothing of the unfortunate man. At the .time of the accident the tide was about halfway in, . and the breakers were a fair size. According to his brothers, White, who was twentytwo years of age, was not a good swimmer.

Very few bathers enter the water at tbe southern end of the beach where the water is usually fairly rough. Tho most popular bathing part is at tho northern end, near the peninsula, where tbe bottom is good for a long distance out.

This is only the second drowning fatality which has occurred on this beach within the memory of some of tho oldest inhabitants, a child having been drowned at the northern end about a dozen years ago. There have, however, been a number of people, mostly fishermen, who have lost their lives at the mouth of the Waikouaiti River, which is on tho other side of the peninsula.