WASHED OFF REEF

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 143, 14 March 1938, Page 10

WASHED OFF REEF

Two Young Men Drowned

RESCUE EFFORT FAILS Tragedy At Castlepoint Dominion Special Service. Mastertoii, March 13. Washed off a reef across which they were attempting to wade, two young men were drowned at Castlepoint this afternoon. They were:— Vincent Meyer, aged 17. Wilfred Dick, aged 21. Both were residents of Carterton. \ heavv swell was breaking across the reef when the men attempted the crossing at 1.30 this afternoon, and it appears that Meyer was washed off and that Dick went to bis rescue. It >s stated that Meyer could not swim at all and Dick could swim only a few strokes. . , A man named Stevens went to thassittance of Dick, but both bad disappeared before Stevens could reach him. The reef is said to be dangerous at any time, but it was far more dangerous to-day because of the heavy swell. Dragging operations were quickly instituted, and Dick’s body was recovered an hour and a half after the fatality. The body of his companion was not found till 7. o’clock to-night. Both were recovered by Mr. N. A. Christianson and Mr. J. Savage in a deep hole almost at the place at which they disappeared. Mr. Christianson and Mr. Savage were in the water for five hours. An inquest will be held at Pinui tomorrow. FISHERMAN DROWNED Thrown Overboard When Launch Struck Rock , Dominion Special Service. Auckland, March 13. A drowning accident involving a resident of Opua, Mr. George H. Smith, aged about 45, a sawmiller, was reported to the Russell police to-night. So far only meagre details are available. Mr. Smith left in his launch with it party to fish off the Bay of Islands. It was reported to the police that the launch was anchored near Black Rock, where a moderate swell was running. The swell caused the vessel to drag her anchor, and it was driven on to a partly-submerged 1 rock. Mr. Smith was thrown overboard by the impact ami was not seen again. i ■ The launch was holed, and immediately began to fill. When it was seen that nothing could be done to rescue Mr. Smith, the launch was beached on Moturoa Island.