BEACH TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10510, 14 February 1928, Page 5

BEACH TRAGEDY.

BATHER DROWNED OFF GREY

STREET,

GALLANT WORK BY MEN OF H.M.S. DIOMEDE.

MAN BROUGHT ASHORE

RESUSCITATION EFFORTS FAIL,

Waikanae beach was the scene of a drowning fatality last evening about 6.15 o’clock." There was a large crowd in swimming and on the sands and the tragedy cast a deep ■doom over the whole beach. ”A middle-aged man, Christian l'ange Lauritzen, aged forty-nine, was swimming when he was apparently carried out about 400 yards by the strong undertow, and, although he was brought ashore, all attempts a resuscitation proved ri ™' L , al *iJ lg ' Several members of the H.M.b. Diomede were playing Soccer on the beach, a few feet away trof the edge of the water when one or them, Seaman P. H. Sears, noticed a boy, aged twelve, in difficulties nearly 100 jaids out from the shore. He swam on to the hoy, who was being carried further out by the undertow, and brought him ashore with some difficulty none the worse ior his expel--ICAe‘little later two other members of the Diomede, Officers’ Steward - - A. Smith and Seaman Harold Chadwick, saw Mr Lauritzen about 400 yards out, and he seemed to be struggling desperately to keep afloat. One man swam out and another wen out on a surf board yt lnle two othei j went for the life line, lhe* swimmer was twenty yards* h r °“ Lauritzen when ho sank. The othe swimmer, on the surf boa d, . reached the spot and -the Proving man was brought to the top and held up while the life lme vas run out P Mr Lauritzen then appeared unconscious. When the life hue was attached to the board, be was plated on top of it, and brought ashore The waves were high and severe times swept over the board. When he was finally, brought to slioie it’ ‘ seen that his condition was seriotu. and several bathers commenced * suscitation, while Dr Bowie and Di Kalilenberg, who had been in swimming, hurried to the scene, nearly an hour artificial respiration methods were applied, but 1 alien Later the body was removed to *lll morgue ,in the ambulance. Mr Lauritzen, with his wile, were visitors from Taihape, and were stajino- with the latter’s , mother, Mr» Beatson, in Winter Street, Manga- -•> An inquest will be held this morning. k