DEATH IN THE SURF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 3 July 1939, Page 4

DEATH IN THE SURF

TRAGEDY AT ANAURA BOAT PARTY CAPSIZED 2 YOUNG MEN DROWNED 00 MPANT ON R ESCUED (Special to the llernhl.) TOLAGA BAY, this day. Two young men perished yesterday morning in a boating accident, at Atlanta Bay. a few miles north of Tolaga Bay, while manoeuvring in the heavy surf only a short distance from the beach. The victims were: — Herbert Evans, aged 24, .single. Rodney O’Connell, aged 18, single. A third member of the party, Keith Baly, aged 17, was washed into shallow water by the powerful sweep of the surf, and was pulled out of the water by onlookers who had witnessed the accident. The bodies of Messrs. Evans and O'Connell were sought until nightfall, without success. The three men, who were all. engaged as ' station workers l —Messrs. Evans and 1 Baty on Waipare station, and Mr. O'Connell on- Man-garoa, had borrowed a 14ft. boat during the morning to make a fishing excursion. Anaura Bay is one of the most attractive fishing-grounds on the Coast, and a number of other people were taking advantage of file line weather to fish from the beach. There was a strong surf running, but this did not deter the boat party. Spectacular Capsize of Boat

Their craft was not far from the beach when a large roller caught it, turned it broadside on, and tumbled the occupants into the water in a spectacular capsize. Eye-witnesses of the accident were not alarmed for a few moments, but when only one of the three men who had occupied the -boat appeared on the surface, realisation of the tragedy dawned. Nothing could' be done to assist the victims' of the accident, and the efforts of those in the neighbourhood were concentrated on rescuing Mr. Baty, who was washed into shallow water near the sand. He was; carried to the beach in an exhausted condition, and received attention from Mrs. H. Gordon, wife of the manager of Waipare station. After an hour or two he was little (he worse for liis immersion and the pounding he received in the surf.

Mr. Evans had not been long in New Zealand. He was a native of Wales, and is believed to have a sister living in Ashburton, and a brother in the Wairarapa. He was an enthusiastic member of the territorials, and enjoyed much popularity with his comrades in his unit.

The younger of the victims was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. O’Connell, Waereriga-a-hika, and had been .working on Manga roa station for -a few months. He was one of two sons- of the family, and deep sympathy will be extended to Iris relatives in their bereavement.