DROWNING AT PINES BEACH

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31275, 23 January 1967, Page 1

DROWNING AT PINES BEACH

One Road Death In Canterbury

A Kaiapoi youth was drowned on Saturday afternoon at Pines beach after being caught in a strong rip while swimming outside the flagged area patrolled by members of the Pegasus Surf Life-saving Club.

He was DENIS WAYNE THOMPSON, aged 16, of 33 Wesley street, Kaiapoi. The youth had gone to the beach with his brother, Ronald Hugh Thompson, aged 15, and, according to the president of the surf club (Mr B. Travella, of Rangion), both were seen about 12.25 p.m. in difficulties about 100 yards south of the patrolled area and about 75 yards out to sea. The two surfmen on patrol went to their assistance, but as the younger youth had struggled back to shallow water they swam out to the second youth, who had been swept further out. As the strong outward rip prevented any headway, one patrolman stayed to support the youth while the other returned to the beach for a belt and line. On his return he found the patrolman exhausted and dazed from a blow on the head, and the youth had disappeared. A further search was made, but he could not be found. Other club members searched the beach, and the youth’s body was recovered by members at 8 p.m. The patrolman was treated by a local doctor for slight concussion.

Youth Fatally Hurt

A youth died In the Ashburton Hospital on Saturday morning after being injured’

in a car accident on the Main South road, three-tenths of a mile south of the Ashburton river bridge, about 1 a.m. on Saturday. He was Allen Geoffrey McFadyen, aged 19, a builder’s labourer, of Waverley street, Gore.

Mr McFadyen was a passenger in a car being driven north by Brian Henry Denton, aged 22, of Invercargill. The car struck a tree near the road. The tree was up-

rooted, and the car was extensively damaged about the front.

Mr Denton and another passenger, Barry Baldwin, aged 19, of Gordon street. Gore, were admitted to the Ashburton Hospital. Their condition yesterday was described as comfortable. Boy Shot A 15-year-old Nelson boy who was accidentally shot in the head on Saturday night died in Nelson Hospital yesterday afternoon. He was Robin John Westley, of 16 Rata street, Nelson. The Nelson police said Westley and two other boys had been on a rabbit shooting trip on the outskirts of the city.

About 7.30 p.m., when the boys were putting their .22 calibre rifles into gun cases, one handled by a 12-year-old discharged. The bullet struck Westley in the head. Second Death A boy injured in a collision between a car and a cream truck near Feilding on Friday died in hospital on Saturday afternoon. He was Christopher Hona Webber, aged nine, of Te Moana, Waikanae. His was the second death as a result of the accident Thrown From Car An 18-year-old Dunedin youth died in the Dunedin Hospital yesterday from injuries suffered when his car roiled over several times and threw him 30 feet into some trees on Saturday. He was John Alexander McLay, of 262 Middleton road, Corstorphine, Dunedin. The accident occurred at 5.45 p.m. on Saturday in Blackhead road. The only passenger In the car, Kevin Alister McKendrick aged 18, escaped with a small graze on one finger. When he climbed from the vehicle he was unable to find McLay, but a young boy found him beside a pine tree. Child Killed

A 16-month-old girl who was struck by a car, died in Opotiki Hospital on Saturday night. She was Abigail Parekura, daughter of Mr and Mrs Len Parekura, of Opotiki. The child was injured when she ran to her father’s car as he was leaving their home. Car Hit Pole Two young people died from multiple injuries suffered when a car hit a power pole in Hastings early yesterday morning. They were William Francis Haggerty, aged 17, of Hastings. Miss Robyn Piper, aged 16, student, of Napier. John Hayden, aged 17, and Peter John Hayden, both of Napier, who were also in the car, were admitted to hospital where they are reported to be fairly comfortable.