11 swept into sea, 4 children missing

Press, 8 May 1985, Page 10

11 swept into sea, 4 children missing

NZPA-PA London A heavy swell rather than a freak wave was the probable cause of a sea tragedy at Land’s End in which four boys, aged between 10 and 12, were swept away. Sea conditions were similar yesterday and everyone venturing near the shore was told to be careful, a Falmouth Coastguard spokesman said. “When there are these swells running off the Cornish Coast people have to be particularly careful — not just children but locals as well,” he said. A Royal Navy Wessex helicopter, from Culdrose, with three men on board, was resuming the search for the four missing boys — but with no real hope of finding them alive.

The Coastguard spokesman said: “We don’t think the boys have survived the night.” He said the condition of Heather Price, in West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance, suffering from head injuries and hypothermia after the accident, was good. The missing boys were in a party from Stoke Poges County Middle School, Buckinghamshire. The police named them as Ricci Larnden, aged 11, Nicholas Hurst, aged 10, James Holloway, aged 11, and Robert Ankers, aged 12. Eleven youngsters were swept into the water from the rocks. Several were treated in hospital and all but Heather were allowed to go home.