WASHED FROM ROCKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 16

WASHED FROM ROCKS

TRAGIC FIGHT FOR LIFE DROWNING OF FISHERMAN A man, whose name is believed to be William George Pixtou, need 38, of Little 33ay, was drowned in tragic circumstances in the sea off the Coast Hospital grounds, New South "Wales, on April 26. He had made a desperate effort to save his life after ho was washed off the rocks where he was fishing. The surf pounding on the steep cliffs made a landing impossible, and he swam a mile and a-half through, rough seas, attempting to find a place to land. About four o'clock a Mrs. May and Mrs. Beard and her daughter Gladys were walking along the rocks near the Coast Hospital, when they heard somobody calling for help. They saw a man about 20 yards out struggling to make shore. "I cannot last much longer," he cried despairingly. The women hastened toward the hospital to raise the alarm, and met Mr. .Raymond Gale, an employee. When they returned, the man was still fighting'against the heavy seas. They threw out a fishing line, but the man was too far out to grasp it.' Mrs. Beard's daughter ran to the hospital, where she procured a rope, hub when she returned the man had lost consciousness, and was floating face downwards. He was then only about 20 yards from the rocks, but gradually lie drifted out to sea, and at a distance of about 200 yards he sank. The police and residents of the locality made a search, and about 400 yards from the rooks recovered a fishing rod and f'eeL

The sea between the rocks and the Coast Hospital was so dangerous and rough that the police and local residents marvelled that Mr. Pixton had managed to swim so far in his effort to save his life.