TWO LIVES LOST.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1927, Page 8

TWO LIVES LOST.

SURF BATHERS DROWNED.

IGNORED WARNING.

OPUNAKE BEACH SCENE,

, .(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day,

A double bathing fatality occurred at Opunake last night, and in an attempt at fescue a member of the life-saving club, George Mayer, had himself to be rescued. L The victims were:—

Mttry Doreen Hammond (26), Manga - toki.

Thomas Pennington (28), Mangatoki,

Before going into the water Miss Haminond called at a bach on the beach and asked for a rope and belt, as she was going to be taught to swim. She was warned by Mr. N. R. MeKenzie, of New Plymouth, that the sea was dangerous, and was advised to swim in the river, but ehe said she liked the sea.

The couple were seen to go into the •ca, but were presently missed. Mr. MeKenzie immediately telephoned the Opunake Life-saving Club, half a mile away, and in twenty minutes a team yias on the spot.

The body of the girl was found floating on the surface and the efforts of a fioctor for half au hour failed to revive sign of life. Men patrolled the beach up to a late hour last night, but saw nothing of the man.

George Mayer, the member of the lifepaving crcw who got into difficulties, was jresoued by his brother Jack.