THREE COLLEGE GIRLS DROWNED AT BEACH NEAR DUNEDIN

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1949, Page 4

THREE COLLEGE GIRLS DROWNED AT BEACH NEAR DUNEDIN

P.A. DUNEDIN, Feb. 20. Three pupils of the Columba (arls’ College were drowned at Allan’s Beach, one of the small beaches on the Otago Peninsula, near the end of Hooper’s Inlet, shortly before noon on Saturday. About 80 pupils of the school were at the beach, and several were caught in a strong undertow. Those who lost their lives were:— WIINSOME TAYLOR, aged 16, of Wairuna. CLINTON HEATHER COPLAND, aged 16, of Kaka Point, Balclutha. ROBIN RAMSAY, aged 14. of Hyde, Central Otago. They were all boarders •, at the school. Seven of the girls got into difficulties, and six were brought ashore by other pupils, and artificial respiration was applied by one of the mistresses and by an occupants of the only house in the vicinity. Two of them did not recover, and the body of the seventh girl was not found until about 2.30 p.m. A launch was sent across the harbour to Port Chalmers to get a doctor, who was hurried to the beach in a taxi, after the launch had made a quick trip. St. John Ambulance men were on the scene in quick time, and the efforts at resuscitation were intensified. It was . not until after 3 o’clock that the efforts at restoring life were stopped. Mention of the tragedy was made in some Dunedin churches to-day, and the college will be closed to-morrow. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday. .