DROWNED IN SURF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20779, 23 January 1931, Page 10

DROWNED IN SURF.

TWO LIVES LOST.

WELL-KNOWN MERCHANT.

ATTEMPT TO SAVE GIRL.

GALLANT EFFORT FAILS.

TRAGEDY AT OTAKI BEACH. [BY TELEGRAPTT. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Thuradny. A double drowning fatality occurred at the Otaki beach to-day. Tho victims were:— Mr. Sydney Albert Longuet, aged 64, managing director of Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd., Wellington. Theresa Burton, aged 13. Mr. Longuet was drowned in a gallant attempt to rescue the girl, a halfcaste Maori. One of Mr. Longuet's sons was brought ashore exhausted after a courageous attempt to save his father. Heavy Swell Running. The fatalities occurred shortly after 3 p.m., and there was a fairly heavy swell running at the time. Mr. Longuet was spending the Anniversaiy Day holiday with his wife and family at Otaki, where he owns a farm.

The girl was bathing in the surf when she was caught in the undertow. Her call for help was heard by Mr. Longuet, Mr. G. D. A. George, of Wellington, and others on the beach. After a struggle, Mr. Longuet and Mr. George reached the child, They were seen making a brave effort to assist her against the current. Mr. Longuet became exhausted and said, "I will have to let go. You take her on, George." Mr. George continued the struggle with the girl, but was forced to release his grip. He reached the shore with difficulty. Mr. Longuet's sons, both young men, were on the beach, and they participated in the attempts to rescue their father. One of them battled with the current until op the point of collapse. Both Bodies Recovered. Working with a lifeline, a party secured the body of the girl promptly, but Mr. Lpnguet's body was not recovered for about 20 minutes. Constable Satherley and Dr. Milne arrived, and artificial respiration was tried for two hours without success.

The girl lived in a church home at Otaki, and her grandmother, Mrs. C. Bell, lives in tho district.

The late Mr. Longuet was 64 years of age, and ho was prominent in various commercial activities in Wellington. He was a member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and of the Rotary Club. He had been with Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Company for about 28 years, and was previously in business in Auckland. His appointment as managing director of the Wellington business was made in 1919. He leaves a widow, three sons and one daughter.

The scene of the double tragedy is not regarded as dangerous and there have been no drownings off the same section of the beach in recent years. The inquest will be opened to-morroW morning at Otaki.