TRAGEDY AND HEROISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18016, 15 February 1922, Page 8

TRAGEDY AND HEROISM.

GRIM FIGHT WITH SHARK.

RESCUER'S GREAT BRAVERY.

AN EPIC OF THE SURF.

[from our own correspondent.]

SYDNEY, Feb. 8.

Tragedy abruptly ended a surf carnival at Coogee, Sydnoy, on Saturday afternoon. Milton Singleton Coughlan, ago 19 years, booking clerk, was attacked by a shark within lOOvds. of the thronged beach and fought desperately for his life. Ho strove frantically but vainly to beat off the shark with his hands, and in doing so had one arm torn off at tho shoulder and tho other bitten through.

Some life-savers who were on the bead heard the cries of alarm from tho vcran

dah of tho club house, and one of them, a young man named Jack Chalmers, gallantly plunged into tho surf and swam to Coughlan's assistance. When he reached his side Coughlan collapsod in tho arm s of Chalmers, who had no life

bolt, but was equipped only with a rope from the shore. By this time Frank Beaurepairo, the woll-known swimmor, who had been standing on the rocks, and who had swum with mighty strokes to the assistance of the couple, reached tho spot, and by their united efforts Coughlan was got ashore. There it was found both arms were practically severed at their juncture with the body. The victim of the shark's attack being unconscious, he was conveyed to hospital, where he recovered consciousness, but died in a few minutes. Tho courageous action of Chalmers in swimming out to the assistance of Coughlan when the latter was in the grip of the shark has excited great admiration, as he literally swam into the jaws of death. Only a miracle saved him from being torn to pieces, the shark taking fright at the approach of the two rescuers. / i

Coughlan's Wonderful Pluck. Chalmers' heroism has naturally been a topic of conversation ever since, "I have not been able to fathom how Coughlan kept himself above water," Chalmers remarked to the interviewers who beseiged liim during the afternoon. " As I was swimming out, I thought, by the wonderful fight he was putting up, he was standing on the edge of the reef; but when I reached him, and tried to make bottom, I could not. Coughlan's arms were almost chewed off, yet he had worked his feet and kept himself afloat throughout all those awful minutes. When I swam to his sido he turned on his back

and lay in my arms, just as if it were a practice rescue. ' Hang on to me, fo; God's sake,' was a)J ho said, and then appeared to lose consciousness. Then followed the most anxious time for me, I could not catch the strain on the life-

line, and for the moment I thought it had been severed. I afterwards found it wa s due to my mates at the other end changing from their original position on tli e rocks to tho beach, where they thought it would be easier to haul us in. Aftor swimming a little while the line became taut, and shortly afterwards Frank Beaurepairo and Charlie Green, of the Coogee Surf Club, joined me." Chalmors 'was not disposed to say more, but he wished to pay a tribute to Coughlan's wonderful pluck and presence of mind

Chalmers served as a stretcher-bearer with the 45th. Battalion in Franc*.

Terrible Struggle for Life.

Mr. T. F. Doran, who helped to give out the line to Chalmers when the latter plunged in to try to save Coughlan, tells a graphic story of the tragic nappening. "Cougnlan," he said, "waa swimming further out than the other bathers, when he saw a couple of sharks making in the direction of two bathers on the far side. He sang out to them 'to go for their lives.' It was just about then that another shark—unseen by the young swimmer—attacked Coughlan. With his arms in front of him, ho was just about to swim to Bhoro, when the shark madn a fierce leap at him. It practically lifted itself out of tho water. The tragic affair occurred in only a few seconds. Coughlan, despite the fact that he was mutilated, made great efforts to throw the shark off with his shoulders and arms. Putting his right arm up, he looked toward the club, although he was not heard to call out. But before he had time to get his aim back into the water the shark got that limb.

Wonderful Presence ol Mind. "In the dramatics 10 seconds during which Coughlan battled heroically with the shark it was impossible to distinguish them for the most part. Several dub mombers, in tho midst of the awestricken crowds on the beach, had rushed down on to the rocks with the reel. Others followed, but they were unable to get a footing on the rocks. Chalmers appeared to be half dazed by tho fall he 'got in going out, but he kept on. Someone tied tho line to him; he did not wait for the regulation belt. Half stunned and bleeding from the shins, he made wonderful time out to poor' Coughlan, around whom could be seen a circle of blood— vivid reminder of the tragedy. Coughlan, with wonderful presenco of mind at such a moment, turned round in order to help his rescuer as much as possible. Coughland's arms were torn about, and he must have been suffering terribly from both pain and shock, but he did everything in his extremity to aid Chalmers, whose work constitutes one of the finest acts of heroism seen on our beaches. He had only a bare line round him, and those holding it had to be careful in working it. Coughlan and Chalmers were gradually brought toward tho shore, in front of the club-house. Frank Beaurepaire diving 111 and helping the two men. Willing hands quicklv lifted Coughlan and Chalmers on to the rock. Tho whole of the praise for the attempt to save Coughlan's life is due to Chalmers. He did not hesitate, even with the knowledge probably that if there was one shark there were others about. J. saw three myself." Chalniei-o' gallantry recalled a rescue at Lane Cove, Sydney, a few years ago. A young man was swimming there when he 'was attacked by a shark. His fiancee, who was watching from the shore, brought two men to tha scene by her screams for help. The two men dashed into the water, fought with the shark, and managed to drag its victim to the shore, unfortunately not before he had been terribly injured. For this, the rescuers were awarded the Albert Medal'.