SURF BATHERS DROWNED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 23, 30 January 1911, Page 5

SURF BATHERS DROWNED.

FIVE SWEPT OUT TO SEA. . CAUGHT IN THE UNDERTOW. SYDNEY, January 29. Six women and five men were bathing at Coogee Beach to-day ■ when the surf carried them into deeff water. The women and one man were rescued with difficulty, the others being drowned. The names of those drowned were: Joseph McGrath and George Mackie, of Sydney, and Hardy and Wilson, two recent arrivals. The sea was very rough at the time, and the undertow in the channel, increased by a rush of water from a stormwater channel, was especially strong. Caught in the undertow, the bathers were quickly carried out to sea. The rescuers did excellent work. One, named Harold Baker, was especially prominent in saving several, although he was fully dressed. One of the victims was .brought to shallow water, and told to run up the beach. Paralysed by fear, he fell down again, and was taken out and drowned. A woman struggled with the rescuers, and one of them was forced to strike a girl in order to avoid hindrance. UNCLAIMED CLOTHES. SYDNEY, January 29. I It is believed that a fifth man has been drowned on the Coogee Beach. Some clothing found on the rocks has not been claimed. (Received 0.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The fifth missing man at • Coogee was named J. Holt, of the training ship Mersey. His body has not yet been found. TWO GIRLS DROWNED. (Received 9.30 a.m.) ItfELBOURNE, this day. Two girls named Ada Stansfleld and Vera Morriner, while bathing at Mount's Bay, got out of their depth, both being drowned.