RESCUE FROM DROWNING AT LOCAL SEASIDE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4686, 24 November 1931, Page 3

RESCUE FROM DROWNING AT LOCAL SEASIDE.

TWO BATHERS NEARLY LOSE THEIR LIVES. GOOD WORK BY SURF lOLUB. Two bat hers, Mr F. N. Rosenbeck garage proprietor, of Ashhurst, and Miss D. Whibley, of Palmerston N., bad a narrow escape from drowning at the Foxton beach shortly after 2 o’clock on Sunday afternoon and but for the prompt action of the Foxton Surf and Life Saving Club members, there is little doubt that the season would have opened with a double drowning fatality. Shortly after two o’clock Mr Rosenbeck and Miss Wfliihloy entered the water near the bathing sheds on ocean bench but as the tide was ebbing fast and almost dead out and there was a dangerous sea breaking on the beach, it was not long before they found themselves in difficulties. As the season has not vet officially opened the Foxton Surf and Life Saving Chib did not have a patrol on the beach. Members have been patrolling the bathing area during the rc-i-en! spell of hot weather but in view of the boisterous nature of ttoday on Sunday it was decided to carry out certain work in connection with the pavilion which is in the course of erection nearby, and whilst engaged on this work members lieavd a ery for help. They dashed down to the surf and saw the two bathers struggling in a deep hole. A chain was formed and a rescue effected by wading in, the reels being in Foxton undergoing an overhaul preparatory lo the opening of the season. When brought ashore Mr Rosenbeck was in a state of collapse owing to extreme exhaustion during his struggle to keep Miss Whibley up. He soon responded to resuscitation, however, and the bathers were able to proceed to their homes later in flic afternoon. Club members are to he congratulated on their rescue under such adverse conditions. Conditions experienced on Sunday emphasised the necessity for a club pavilion as after the unfortunate bathers were taken from the water there was no shelter or proper facilities for them. The incident also serves to demonstrate the foolhardiness of bathers, in attempting to bathe when the tide and conditions arc adverse. Tin* bench is perfectly safe when the tide is making and well in but it is a well-known fact that there are dangerous holes on the beach at low wafer and the current carries the unwary bather into these and difficulties. Most of the tragedies which have occurred on the beach have taken place under similar circa instances. J