SURF BATHERS DROWNED.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 40, 30 January 1911, Page 1

SURF BATHERS DROWNED.

ELEVEN PERSONS SWEPT OUT BY UNDERTOW. SOME GALLANT RESCUES. Sydney. Jan. 29. A sensation occurred on Coogee beach to-day. Six women and five men were bathing in the surf and were tarried out. The women and one man were rescued. but - the others were drowned. The names of the latter were Joseph McGrath, George Mackie, Sidnev Hardv and Wilson. The recent heavy rains formed a channel in which a strong current set in. The sea was very rough, and there was a strong undertow, especially in the channel scooped by the rush of water from the storm water channel. When the bathers got in this they were quickly carried out. The rescuers did excellent work. Harold Baker was especially piominent in saving several, although he was fully dressed. One of the victims was brought to shallow water and told to run on the beach. In his fear he fell down and was again taken out and drowned. One woman struggled with the rescuers, and they were forced to strike a girl in order to avoid hindrance. It is believed that a fifth man was drowned at Coogee. Some lothing found on the rocks has been unclaimed. ANOTHER SURF FATALITY. (Received 30, 10.30 a.m.) Melbourne, Jan. 30. Ada Stansfield and Vera Morriner, while bathing at Mount’s Bay. got out of their depth, and both were drowned.