SWEPT OFF ROCKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26626, 24 November 1947, Page 4

SWEPT OFF ROCKS

TRAGIC END TO FISHING TRIP RESCUE NOT POSSIBLE Swept from the rocks below the Cape Saunders lighthouse by a large wave about 10.30 yesterday morning, a man drowned in a heavy sea. which prevented any attempt at rescue. His body had not been recovered last night. He was James Trimble, aged 47, postmaster at Moray Place Post Office. In company with two friends, Mr M. J. Lawlor and Mr I. A. Mac Duff, the deceased left home at about 5 a.m. on a fishing expedition. The party arrived at the rocks below the lighthouse at approximately 6 o’clock, and had been fishing for some hours when the tragedy occurred. It appears that a large wave swept in unexpectedly and washed Mr Trimble from his position on the rocks. For a short time he floated on his back, but the state of the sea at the time rendered it impossible for a rescue to be effected without a lifebuoy. One of his companions set off for the lighthouse to get rescue equipment while the other watched, but before any move could be made to save Mr Trimble he had disappeared. Mr Trimble, who was a powerfullybuilt man and said to have been a strong swimmer, had been postmaster at Moray Place for approximately two years. He is survived by his wife, three sons, whose ages range from 16 to 21, and a five-year-old daughter.