Drowning Fatality at Tangimoana

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7062, 23 January 1933, Page 6

Drowning Fatality at Tangimoana

Breakers Claim Victim

IS BEACH IN DANGEROUS CONDITION?

A drowning fatality in which a single man, Mr. Edwin Webster, aged 38 years, a farm labourer, oi Awahuri, lost his life, occurred at Tangimoana beach about 3 o’deck yesterday aftemopn. Details are nicagro but it appears that deceased, in company with Mr. L. Pask, both of whom wore employed by Mr. A. G. Collins, of Awahuri, went bathing in tho surf near tho mouth or the Rangitikei River, and near where tho road goes down to the beach. Both juen found themselves in difficulties about tho timo mentioned and although Mr. Bask managed to reach tho shore, his companion was carried out to sen and was not afterwards seen. A sonrch was commenced for the missing man, under the supervision oi Constable Blaxland, of Eongotea, but no trace of him had been discovered by nightfall. Tho fatality lias cast quite a gloom over the seaside resort and also over Kopanc, where deceased was very well known and respected. Ho had been a resident in New Zealand for twenty years but, as far as can be ascertained, had no relatives iu the Dominion. There was a large crowd. of visitors at Tangimoana beach yesterday, perfect weather conditions prevailing despite tho heavy rains in other parts of tho district. There was, however,, a strong undertow, with a heavy sea running and a fresh in the river itself. Tho beach has been regarded by many people as particularly dangerous of late, duo to the undertow, which oven good swimmers find it difficult to contend with in certain places. The danger zone was once marked by posts, but they appear to havo been removed or else they aro not sufficiently prominent to persons who are not fnniiliar with the beach.

Body Recovered in a River Per Press Association INVERCARGILL, Last Night. The body of Arthur Bates, who was drowned in the Waiau River on tho 15th inst., was recovered to-day in a backwash in tho willows about four miles from where he was drowned.