TRAGEDY IN SURF

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 11, 14 January 1929, Page 9

TRAGEDY IN SURF

DANGERS OF BONDI

BOY MAULED BY SHARK

INJURIES PROVE FATAL

United Press Association—By Electric TeU-

erapb—Copyrlelit.

(Received 14th January, 8 a.m.)

, SYDNEY, This Day.^ Colin James Stuart,. aged fourteen years, was badly mauled by a twelvefoot shark a few yards from the water's edge at Bohdi Beach on Saturday evening. Many bathers were leaving the surf at that time. Stuart was swimming quietly when the shark attacked him, tearing the flesh right from the thigh to the knee. A mate of the lad's rushed to his assistance and got him ashore, with the help of a man. His rescuer disappeared without being identified. It is believed that he was overcome by his exertions and was quietly taken away by friends. The attack emphasises the danger run by hundreds of people who bathe in the surf at night-time during a hot spell. Stuart died yesterday after a gallant fight '. against odds. The doctors regarded the'case as hopeless from the beginning. : The boy was conscious to tho end. He said that the first bite was painless, and he thought someone was playing a joke. Then. the. shark seized him again.

His rescuer, Robert Kavanough, aged 22, says that he was about ten yards away when he heard a cry. He rushed to Stuart's "assistance. The shark, which was tearing at the lad's leg, then disappeared. Kavanough seized . the stricken boy and carried him shoreward till others came to his assistance. He felt a reaction from the dreadful experience and his legs almost became useless. When others took the burden he slipped oft' homeward. . '

Kavanough is an athlete and won the half-mile relay race at the University sports on Saturday afternoon.