LIFE LOST IN SURF.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 26, 1 February 1928, Page 8

LIFE LOST IN SURF.

YOUTH BATHING ALONE.

RESCUERS FORCED TO RETURN

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUXEDIN, Tuesday. The surf at St. Clair beach has claimed another victim.

Meredith Norman Nesbit, 17 yeari of age, left his home to join a party which intended to bathe in the Burf near the baths. -The other members of the party did not arrive, and Nesbit went into the water by himself. It was soon after 6.30 p.m. that an alarm was raised and he was seen to be in difficulties in the water alongside the baths. He had undressed in the Bheds at the baths, and though it is not known if anyone saw him enter the water it is surmised that he went into the 6urf from the rocks at the side of the baths, where there is a dangerous current and much kelp.

A young man named Duckworth made an effort to swim out to Xesbit, but, good swimmer though he is, he found the place too dangerous and had to relinquish his attempt. Several others who made the attempt also had to give it up. In the meantime Xesbit had disappeared. Members of the Surf dub acted promptly, and the man with the belt made splendid time in getting out in a difficult sea, but nothing could be seen of the body. This morning the body was recovered, under the kelp. Nesbit was employed in the operating room of the telegraph office at Dunedin. He was frequently in the water at St. Clair. His father is Mr. J. W. Nesbit, a teacher at Moray Place School.