SURF DROWNING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 24, 30 January 1939, Page 3

SURF DROWNING.

TRAGEDY ON WEST COAST.

MAN CAUGHT BY UNDERTOW. Caught by the undertow at the Maioro Beach on the West Coast, about 10 miles from Waiuku, yesterday afternoon, a middle-aged man was carried out to sea and drowned. The victim was:—■ Mr. Francis Joseph Priest, aged 40, married, with four children, a farmer, of Otaua Road, Waiuku. The party of which Mr. Priest was a member was bathing in the surf after lunch. Six of them were caught by the undertow when they had waded out into about three feet of water, and these were being quickly carried out into the breakers. Four of them managed to regain the shore, but Mr. Priest, who was a non-swimmer, and hie son Trevor, aged 12, were soon in difficulties. Mr. ('. Malloy, of Waiuku, managed to reach the son, who could swim a little, and struggled back to the shore with him, thoroughly exhausted.

Before he could be helped, however, Mr. Priest was swept into the breakers, and he disappeared. About 20 people were or. the beaeh at the time.

The beach, which its fairly popular, is known to be dangerous at times owing to the undertow. No life-saving appara" tus was available when the mishap occurred.