ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

Evening Star, Issue 21580, 28 November 1933, Page 1

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

ST. HILDA BEACH FATALITY LIFE SAVING EFFORTS COMMENDED The swimmers, particularly Mr Reginald Baker, who took part in the recovery of the body of the nine-year-old girl ? Dorothy Edith Dodds, from the surf at St. Kilda Beach on Saturday, were complimented by the coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, *S.M.) at the inquest yesterday afternoon. Sergeant M'Entee appeared for the police, and the Presbyterian Social Service Association was represented by Mr E. A. Duncan. Andrew Dodds, a labourer, employed at the Waitaki Hydro Works, identified the body as that of his daughter, who had been an inmate of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Anderson’s Bay for three years. He last saw the girl twelve mouths, ago. Hazel Churchward, matron of the Somerville cottage at the orphanage, said that on Saturday she took nineteen children for _an outing to St. Kilda Beach, arriving there at 2.10 o’clock. About 3 o’clock fourteen went in for a bathe. She noticed two flags on the beach, marking the safety area, and the children went between the flags. She was directly facing the area, and was about a chain away from the water. The children, who were in full view, went out only to their knees’ depth, as the breakers were numerous. She was dressing two of the children when .she was told that Dorothy was missing. She ran down to the water as six life savers were running along the beach. The girl was very healthy and was not subject to fits of any kind. The Coroner; Had the children been down to the beach previously?—About a fortnight ago I took them down to Lawyer’s Head for an hour or two after tea. This was the first time they had been bathing this season. Had Dorothy been in previously?— Yes. She was a great swimmer for her age. Mr Duncan; Before you left the home some arrangements were made that you were to meet a friend at the beach to assist you in looking after the children? —Yes. She was with me at the time of the accident.

Did your friend have any children?— She had three of her own. They were paddling. Is there an arrangement at the home that, when the children visit the beach in such numbers, two adults always go? —Yes. So the association would have sent somebody along with you if you had not made arrangements?—Yes. Finlay Thomas Scott, a waiter, residing at 239 Oxford street, said that he was going in for a swim at 3.30, when bo ,-saw five children in difficulties in the water. They were yelling. Three were together, .id two further out. They were south of the flags. He ran into the water and carried three of the children to the shore. One of the remaining two children came ashore herself, and he went out for the other child, who was beyond the first line of breakers. He was unable to reach her, as lie was swept back by the strong current sweeping south. A deep hole started at the south end of the nagged area. About fivo or ten minutes later, the life savers, whose assistance _ had been called by his friend, arrived. Everything possible was done for the child when she was recovered from the surf—except the time that it took to get a doctor. To Mr Duncan; One could be swept from the flagged area by the current. He saw no life savers on duty at first. The Coroner; Were there only children in the water?—Yes. No adults were in the water.

Reginald Alfred Baker, an optician’s mechanic, residing at 56 High street, St. Kilda, said he was a member of the St. Kilda Life Saving Club. With some other members he was erecting a warning bell at the entrance to the beach when he was told that a child was in difficulties. The flagged area was in their view. He followed the man to between 100 and 200 yards south of the flag and dashed into the surf. He was followed by Victor Sturgeon, who had the belt and Die line. He made for an object some distance beyond the breakers. He swain out for about 200 yards, but ho could not see the body, and he returned on a diagonal course towards Lawyer’s Head. He then saw the girl, who was drifting back towards Lawyer’s Head. He secured her and handed her to Sturgeon.. The child was face downwards and unconscious when he reselled her. He was unable to hold on- to the line through exhaustion, and it was with great difficulty that he managed to get ashore. He was almost unconscious when he reached the beach. Recalled, Miss Churchward detailed the attempts at artificial resuscitation for nearly an hour by the life saving club members. Two ambulance men also assisted. When Dr Murray arrived he could only pronounce life extinct. Miss Churchward said, that the life savers did everything possible to revive life. “This is one of those unfortunate fatalities that occur from time to time,” said the Coroner, returning a verdict that death was due to accidental drowning. “ T cannot say that any blame is attachable to anyone for the child getting into the difficulties she did. When it comes to the matter of the rescue, credit is due to those concerned in it, particularly to Mr Baker, who swam out a considerable distance ahead of the life saving club’s reel, and only got back with difficulty himself.”