YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 7

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

ST. CLAIR DROWNING TRAGEDY CORONER STRESSES NEED FOR CARE “ This regrettable fatality stresses the need for great care in indulging in bathing on our beaches,” said Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coro<nor to-day at the inquest touching the death of Donald lan M.Mntyre, aged 22 years, who was drowned when bathing at St. Clair on the evening of January 23. The deceased was a single man, and resided with his widowed mother at d Kirkcaldy street, South Dunedin. Sergeant Stark represented the police. Clive William Elliott, a member of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, said that together with other members of the club he was training at the St. Clair Beach on January 23, and shortly after 7 p.m. they brought a girl and youth ashore who were in difficulties from outside the (lags. Witness then heard someone say that a man was in dilliciiltics further out. The surf boat was launched and a. .search made of the area near the baths and the beach, but without result. After their return from the search Miss M'lntyre informed witness that she bad been swimming with her brother Tan, and that she saw a man in difficulties and thought it was her brother, and that his clothes and motor cycle were at the pavilion. The beach was in good order, and was quite safe provided swimmers remained inside the flags There was very little surf. Witness communicated with the Taieri Aerodrome, and an aeroplane was sent to aid in the search, this also being without result. Irene May MTntyre gave evidence that she accompanied the deceased, her brother, on his motor cycle to St. Clair Beach for a swim at about 7 p.m. on January 23. Hce brother practically went straight into'the water upon arrival, and witness followed later. Both entered the water between the flags. About 20 minutes after witness had entered the water she was speaking to a girl friend, who was also bathing, and noticed three bathers further out who appeared to be in difficulties. Witness immediately notified a man who was standing close by her, and the life sav-

ing club members were summoned. Witness then saw a man whom she took to bo her brother close in shore,.and he also appeared to bo in difficulties. After the surf patrol had rescued a man and a woman she told them that her brother was still in the water, but although an immediate search was made no trace of him could be found. When she saw her brother lie was approximately a chain and a-half from the shore, and at the time it was low tide. Constable Mannix gave evidence as to having recovered the body of deceased. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally drowned at St. Clair Beach on January 23.