DOUBLE DROWNING FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 189, 30 December 1912, Page 6

DOUBLE DROWNING FATALITY.

ON THE SUMNER BEACH. SOME PLUCKY WORK. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Two drowning fatalities occurred' at Sumner yesterday. There was a nor'wester blowing, which apparently had the effect of making the bcacli dangerous,, and strong swimmers found themselves in difficulties. A man named George Richard Atkinson, a resident of Woolston, and only about three months out from England', went to Sumner with his wife and three children this morning, and about noon he went for a swim near the pier. The tide was running out very fast, and the undertow caught him. Others went to his aid, and it is said that he told one man who got him to where he could put his feet on the bottom that he was all right, but as soon as lie was let go lie disappeared and was not seen again. At the time of telegraphing the body had not been recovered. About three o'clock in the afternoon, when thi' New South Wales and other visiting swimmers were about to give a demonstration of life-saving methods near the pier at Sumner, a report was brought that a man was in grave difficulties in the water towards the baths end of the beach. The whole party with their apparatus set oil' at once. The man could be seen far out, and Solomons and Hay went towards him. When within roughly a hundred yards of him lie was seen to throw up liis hands and disappear. Solomons dived but could find no sign of him, and returned to shore. The man whose age is 50 years, is named Bathnret, and resided in Harper street, Sydenham. He was:bathing with his wife, his son, and some friends.

Further particulars of the drowning fatalities are to the effect that the Sydney'swimmers showed great pluck in endeavouring to awist BathursL Solomons and llays dived a score of times, but without avail. This was their first failure to save life under similar circumstances, and was due. probably to having received tlie. alarm too late. Solomons has rescued nearly thirty persons in Sydney. Ernest Charles Ralhurst is the full name of the drowned man, who resided at St. Albans, and was aged 59. At the time of the fatality he was surfing with his wife, his son and two men. George Richard Atkinson, 42 years of age. resided at Lin wood. Tie was employed by the Kniapoi Woollen Company. A collection taken up on the beach after the fatality in aid of the widow and family resulted in over £3(5 being given, and promises of further amount's. The bodies have not. vet been recovered, and the general opinion is that they will be swept out to sea. Solomons was obviously affected seriously by the happening. When a reporter saw him afterwards, if was an example. he said, which must have been needed for many years. The space of the beach was very big. and for their own sakes people should be compelled to bathe within certain definite limits, so that in case of trouble, help'might be at hand. This was the custom at all recognised bathing places in Australia, and most certainly it should be adopted 'here. Bathurst was drowned because of the delay occasioned by a long run down the beaeh, and even when they got to the place the only direction they could get was "out there." Solomons says that Kay put up a very fine swim, and ;they were half a mill; out bejfore they sighted the drowning man. When roughly a hundred yards away Solomons saw deceased's hands go up. Then he was !seen no more. They dived a great many Times, but could not find him. Further jdown the current was very strong, and jniUich stronger than towards the surface. Jn fact the, currents were quite unusual, sin his opinion the day was a very danjgorouis oiie. and swimming difficult'. ; Some of the members of the Sumner ■Life-Boat Brigade, under Acting-Pilot (Vines, and accompanied by Constable tTTampton, went out to-day in the direction of Whitewash Head, but owing to 'the heavy sea they were unable to get near enough to the rocks to ascertain if (here were aiiv signs of the bodies of the victims. The search will be continued to-morro'.v.