BATHERS RESCUED

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21082, 6 February 1934, Page 8

BATHERS RESCUED

CATAMARAN CAPSIZES INCIDENT AT SI'MNKK Two men and one woman, Messrs E. Cooper and W. R. Miles, and Miss H EMis, were in difficulties in the suit at"Sumner yesterday afternoon when the catamaran on which they were riding was capsized. They were in the water for two hours before Iney were rescued by the beach patrol. Mr A. Simpson, Accompanied by the patrol, the party went into the water at 12.30 p.m.' Theiv was a good turf running, and the (oar had not been out long when the catamaran was caught by •i stron" wave and overturned. Cooper \\vs struck in the back at the moment of the capsize, and he had to be supported bv the other three until he had recovered, which was some lime. Efforts were made to light the catamaran, but the roughness of the water rendered them fruitless. Th<» party was by this time being carried out to sea. so Simpson swam to the beach and returned with a line from the Simmer Surf and LifeSaving Club'.-! equipment. He was jii'-l able to reach the catamaran with the full length of the line, and having attached himself to it, was pulled in by a crowd of about 20 boys, who had taken charge of operations on lli ; ; shore. Miss Ellis and Cooper and Miles were hanging on to the catamaran. All four members of the party belonged to the Sunnier Surf and LifeSavin?, Club and were strong swimmers. Tluy were almost exhausted when the beach was reached, butlhey needed no attention. The rescue was watched by a crowd of between 200 and 300 persons.