N.Z. HERO.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1925, Page 3

N.Z. HERO.

SAVED DROWNING GIRL. SAN FRANCISCO, July 15. Just at the height of the summer vacation season, while swimming at the resorts extremely popular in California, a regrettable drowning tragedy caused universal sympathy to he showered upon the relatives of Frank J. O’Shea, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, who for the last few years had Iveen domiciled in San Francisco. O’Shea, who lived at 933 Noe St., in the Californian metropolis, was drowned in the swift waters of the Merced River at the picturesque resort of Yosemite, which at the time of the year was thronged with pleasure seekers. From reliable information reaching San Francises, it appears that Miss Anna. Norton, of 3621 Twenty-sixth St.. San Francisco, was indulging swimming in tlio rive when she was suddenly carried out of her depth, and was in imminent danger of sinking in the swirling whirlpool of the Merced, which rushes down ’from the precipitous mountains. Without considering the menace to himself, Frank O’Shea immediately plunged into the river, upon perceiving Miss Norton in difficulties. He succeeded in reaching the young lady, and managed to swim with her to a less dangerous spot, where slie was pulled to safety by Miss Grace Cody, of Hampshire St. Sail Francisco. CARRIED AWAY IN WATERS. O’Shea evidently had miscalculated • the terrible strain on his physique in rescuing Miss Norton and owing to being exhausted by his efforts, lie sank and was carried down the river in the heavy surging waters. It was soino hours later that his body was recovered and conveyed to San Francisco. He was the son of Patrick J. ami Mary O’Shea, and had two brothers. Vincent P. and Louis O’Shea, and two sisters, Rose M. O’Shea and Mrs < R, McNeil. Deceased was a member of' the Mission Council of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Pioneer Council No 1, Young Men’s Institute, BB 1 ? San Francisco, and was also associated with the Holy Name Sodality of St. James’ Parish of San Francisco. The funeral, which was largely attended by his numerous friends and his relatives, was from St. James' Church, where a requiem high mass was celebrated. The rcmnSns were subsequently interred at Holy Cn> Cemetery in the suburbs of San Francisco. in San Mateo County. O’Shea was but 34 years of age.