SURF BATHING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 209, 23 January 1913, Page 5

SURF BATHING.

TFIE DUNEDIN FATALITY. CORONER'S CRITICISM. By Telegraph—Press Association. , Dunedin, Last Night. The circumstances under which Joseph Clarke and Charles Turvey met their deaths while surf-bathing at St. Clair on Saturday were enquired into by Mr. Ij. Y. Widdovvson, acting-coroner, thig afternoon. Alexander Leslie Thomson grve evidence that when the alarm was given he swam out to the rescue, and Turvey appeared to be holding Clarke up. Witness separated them, and a man named Arthur W. Easther then came out. Turvey grasped Easther and pulled (him under water. Thinking Easther had I Turvey, Thomson got hold of Clarke and they were hauled ashore on a life line. [ There was only a slight backwash. The | life line was drawn in very quickly, draging them under water. Easther stated that Turvey pulled him under twice, and witness could do nothing with him. He stayed for a while longer, but feeling exhausted he had to make for shore. Turvey's body was washed up immediately afterwards. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned. Mr. Widdowson referred to the practice of people pretending they were in difficulties; and described it as little short of criminal He also referred in highly commendatory terms to the action of Thomson and Easther.