TWO BOYS DROWNED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 98, 19 January 1940, Page 10

TWO BOYS DROWNED

Caught In Pool In Tidal Creek DRAIN’S BAY TRAGEDY By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 18. Two boys were drowned al Okain’s Bay, Banks Peninsula, this afternoon. The’ tragedy occurred in a large hole in a tidal creek which runs into Ute sea on the north side of the beach an«l which is 10 to 12 feet deep ami rockbound on the west side. The creek water forms a whirlpool and it. is known to be a dangerous pool.

Tlie boys who lost their lives were:—

Desmond Henry Bruce Spurt-, aged 10. son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Henry Spur, Okain’s Bay.

Peter Boss Ingley Mason, aged 5, sun of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Mason. Okain’s Bay.

A third boy, Brian Spurr. aged 7, brother of the boy drowned, was rescued from Die hole by David Stanley MacLemighan. aged 13, a Christchurch boy staying with the Spurr family. The four boys, accompanied by a fifth small boy, went to the beach on bicycles and their footmarks showed that they had crossed the creek where there was shallow water above the hole. Apparently the boys got into the hole and into difficulties. Three of the bovs were in the water and MacLenagbaii managed to pull out. Brian Spurr and then attempted to save Desmond Spurr. He made two attempts without success and then ran along the beach to give the alarm to Mr. J. H. Sproston, Christchurch, and Mr. 11. C. Mason, Okain’s Bay. Tlie two men motored along tlie beach and dived in and secured Peter Mason, but it was 20 minutes before Desmond Spurr was taken from tlie water as lie was lodged under a rock at the bottom of tlie pool. There was a targe number of people on tlie beach, campers and residents, and resuscitation was immediately applied. A message was also sent, to Dr. W. J Edginton, Akaroa, and accompanied by Constable C. Dalbeth, Akaroa. and Constable C. R. Haack, Little River, lie reached the beach as soon as possible. When they arrived resuscitation was again attempted, but. after three hours all hope was given up.