CAUGHT IN TIDE RIP

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 5

CAUGHT IN TIDE RIP

ST. CLAIR BEACH TRAGEDY MARRIED MAN DROWNED Caught in a strong tide rip towards the baths while he was bathing at St. Clair about 6.30 last night, James Coulter Hubbard, 32 years of age, lost his life. The deceased was seen to be in difficulties by Alexander M'Arthur Thomson, a member of the St. Clair Surf Life Saving Club, who immediately gave the alarm, and with the assistance of two other members, William Kaler and Douglas Sutherland, the reel was taken out and the swimmer brought ashore. Although artificial respiration was carried out for two and a-half hours, the patient could not be revived.

The deceased lived at 135 Main South road, Caversham, and was a married man with three children. He was employed as a mechanic at the Universal Service Station, Caversham. The inquest was held at the morgue this morning, Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., sitting as coroner. Constable Palmer represented the police. Evidence of identification was given by Edward Hubbard, a brother of the deceased. Witness said that deceased was a good swimmer. Laura Ellen Hubbard, wife of the deceased, gave evidence that she had accompanied her husband to St. Clair beach for the purpose of having a swim before tea. Her husband, who was a strong swimmer, went in for a swim between the flags on the beach, and he had a plane used for floating. Witness noticed her husband swimming out opposite her and later she noticed that he was apart from the plane and was being carried towards the baths. She noticed her husband wave one arm on three occasions, and a member of the Life Saving Club on the beach suddenly ran to the pavilion and returned with other members carrying the reel. They succeeded in bringing deceased ashore and applied artificial respiration until the arrival of Dr Murray. They eventually removed her husband to the pavilion, where artificial respiration was continued until about 9 p.m. Dr C. S. Murray said that he received a call about 7.15 p.m. When he arrived efforts at resuscitation had been going on for a quarter of an hour. Witness gave a stimulant and opened the mouth with a gag, artificial respiration being continued. After another 20 minutes it appeared hopeless, and deceased was removed to the pavilion. At 7.30 p.m., after examination, witness considered life to be extinct. Treatment was carried out by members of the Surf Club until 9 p.m. The deceased died from asphyxia from drowning. Alexander M'Arthur Thomson said that when he first noticed the deceased about 6.30 p/m. he gave the alarm to the club members, and William Kaler and Douglas Sutherland assisted in taking the reel out. The deceased was ■brought ashore, and artificial respiration was applied pending the arrival, of Dr Murray. William Kaler said there was a strong rip running towards the baths at the time. Witness and Sutherland went to the deceased’s assistance, Sutherland taking the belt, and brought him ashore. Artificial respiration was immediately applied and continued for 2j hours.

Evidence was also given by'Constable Ross. A verdict was returned that death was due to accidental drowning.