DROWNED IN SURF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 5

DROWNED IN SURF

FISHERMAN’S DEATH WAVE CAPSIZES BOAT COM PA NlO N’ X ST IM r ( MIL E FIGHT TO REACH SHORE (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Thrown into the water when their dinghy capsized off the Tarawera River month yesterday morning, one man was drowned and another reached shore only after a struggle through tihe heavy surf. The man drowned was William David Parsons, aged 32, married, with no children, of Matata. The body of Mr. Parsons was later washed ashore about 1J miles from the point where the fatality occurred. The other man was Edward Lass, aged about 30, unmarried and a recent arrival from England He had been working for Mr. Parsons as a fisherman for .some months. Mr. Lass and Mr. Parsons were using a net from their dinghy, assisted by three other men onshore. A heavy: sea was 'running at the time and they were the only boat engaged in fishing. Turning For The Shore They had made a pull on the net without incident, and were turning to come inshore when a particularly large wave struck them side on about 200 yards from the shore, overturning the dinghy. 'Both men began swimming. Mr. Lass was heard to call: “Are you all right, Dave?” Mr. Parsons replied that he was following. The men on shore were watching Mr. Lass as he struggled through the surf and did- not see Mr. Parsons disappear. His absence was not discovered •until! Mr. Lass had been assisted ashore s and, as there were no boats available, nothing could be done. Mr. Parsons is slated to have been a fair swimmer, but he had an injury to his knee 'which wag likely to cause cramp. He had removed his shoes to go fishing, but was fairly heavily clothed.