SURF BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 12, 15 January 1934, Page 9

SURF BATTLE.

ONE MAN DROWNED. FOUR OTHER PEOPLE SAVED. GALLANT RESCUE WORK. Details of the drowning fatality at North Beacli, New Brighton, Christchurch, in which Mr. H. J. Freeman (29) lost his life, show that the surf at the time was particularly dangerous, and that several other people had a narrow escape. Hundreds of people gathered on the shore to witness a terrific struggle when tho lives of several would-be rcscuers were endangered. Miss Phyllis Muriel Brass, with whom Mr. Freeman was swimming, was also in trouble, but managed to reach the shore in an exhausted condition. Four swimmers, who had attempted a rescue only to find themselves in difficulty, were saved by Mr. A. Dalton, captain of the North Beach Surf Club. It was a little after 5.30 o'clock when the attention of Mr. W. Kennedy, of North Beach, and some friends, who were playing cricket 011 the beach, was attracted by the shouts of a small group of people about a quarter of a mile above the North Beach Surf Cluo pavilion. These people were waving their handkerchiefs and pointing towards tho sea. Hurrying along the beach, Mr. Kennedy could see a man and woman some distance out in the breakers. The woman seemed to be making her way to the shore in water about waist-deep, but the man, who was further out, was obviously in distress. Divesting himsfclf of cricket clothing .which covered his bathing suit, Mr. Kennedy dashed in immediately in an effort to reach the man, whom he could just see beyond the fifth line of breakers. Although not a strong swimmer, Mr. Kennedy made a gallant fight in the choppy surf, but when still some distance from Mr. Freeman suddenly foui.d himself in difficulties. He could go 110 further, and in the circumstances wisely turned to make back to the beach. He was at the point of exhaustion when Mr. Alan Dalton reached him fifty yards from the shore. Dash With Reel. Four members of the North Beach Surf Club, who were making arrangements in connection with a coming carnival, were at tho house of Mr. L. Moore, in Osborne Terrace, near the pavilion, when they heard the warning bell. They were Messrs. Dalton, Moore, P. Butler, and S. Rich. It was a 150 yards sprint to the pavilion to get the reel and another quarter-mile dash along the beach through heavy sand to tho point opposite where the bather was in distress. They were all fully clothed. Mr. Dalton took the belt. Messrs. Butler and Moore attending to tho reel and line, and Mr. Rich followed Mr. Dalton. The bcltman had not travelled very far before he found that his clothing was hampering him, and he tore off everything except his shirt. Three peopie were struggling in tho surf, but Mr. Freeman had disappeared. Nearest to the shore was Mr. Kennedy, whom Mr. Dalton first reached and brought ashore without any difficulty. Mr. Daltou immediately dashed-back into the tiea, this time rescuing a youth of about 20 years of aga, wli£ had gone to Mr. Freeman's assistance. The surf nad been too strong for him. Once more Mr. Dalton, who was now showing the strain of his struggles in tho surf, went back into the sea to swim 200 yards and reach another person who had got into difficulties through trying to reach Mr. Freeman. This man was brought to shallow water, where he was able to make his way to land. Mr. Dalton again turned back to the breakers, this time to rescue one of his team mates, Mr. Rich, who had found the surf, the cold, and the current too much for him. Mr. Rich, who was in a bad way, was brought safely to the beach. Deceived by Seaweed. The beltnian, tired after making four rescues, once more faced the sea when a cry went up from the crowd that another man could be seen. Mr. Dalton swam out 150 yards to find that the crowd had been deceived by floating seaweed. Not for several years has a life been lost on the New Brighton beaeli. On this occasion the fatality happened outside the safety area marked off by ; the Surf Club in front of the pavilion. With a long run pulling their reel through heavy sand, the Surf Club men were breathless even before they attempted the rescue. While the actual rescues were being effected, the work was hampered by an over-excited crowd pulling on the line and so dragging the beltman and the rescued under water.