THE NAPIER DROWNING CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9413, 6 April 1909, Page 5

THE NAPIER DROWNING CASE.

FURTHER DETAILS.

i*ress Association. Napier, April 5

The body of Mr R. P. Olarkson. director of the Technical School, who was drowned on Saturday, has not yet been recovered. In connection with the accident, it appears that Clarkson and a ycnng man named L, Espagne, clerk in Dalgety and Co's office, were the only persons in the water at the time. By the time Espagne was ready for his dip Clarkson was paddling on the edge of the water. Espagne plnnged straight in and swam towards the Masonic Hotel. Imding himself getting tired, he turned back, and on again reaching the point opposite the marquees saw that Olarkson entered the water and was swimming towards the breakwater, Almost immediately Olarkson began to cry for help, and, seeing that his companion was in trouble, Espagne began to swim towards him. On coming in contact Espagne said: “Are you really done?” Bat it was evident Olarkson had lost command of himself as he was oblivions of the fact that Espagne was there to assist. He' began frantically to cry for Caretaker Lynam. Espagne endeavoured to get Olarkson to roll over on his back so that he oonld support him, but the deceased, who was the bigger and stronger of the two, first clutched Espagne by the wrist and then gripped him round the side. Espagne realised the full danger of the position, an,d, finding himself powerless, set up a frenzied cry for help with that of the drowning man. People on the beach failed to realise the tragedy that was being enacted under their eyes. Unfortunately it has been a practice amongst some bathers to sham drowning in the waves, and set up mock serious screams for help. The caretaker and others thought Olarkson and Espagne were" simply amusing themselves. Both men were known to be able to look after themselves in the water, and as the sea was calm it was not thought possible anything serious could occur. Espagne saw that a terrible misconception was being made on shore, and as Olarkson continued to straggle his position was a most trying one. The whole of the time Espagne found himself out of his , depth and finally Olarkson slipped from his hold around his body and grasped his wonld-be resouer by the leg. A moment later and the unfortunate victim’s hold relaxed, and Espagne reached the shore in an exhausted condition.