TRAGEDY AT SUMNER

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12643, 31 December 1926, Page 5

TRAGEDY AT SUMNER

SMALL CENTREBOARD YACHT OVERTURNS IN BREAKERS ONE DROWNED;, FIVE RESCUED , GALLANT ATTEMPTS AT LIFE-SAVING IN POUNDING SURF Death stalked the sands of Sumner beach yesterday, and in the pounding, foaming surf a life, was lost, and five others came nigh to swelling the total. A small yacht manned by young men was put to sea, but shipping water from the heavy seas, overturned, and soon the occupants were engaged in a grim struggle for life. The alarm was given, and gallant attempts were made at rescue. Five half-drowned youths, two unconscious, were brought to safe.ty, but Ronald Eden, aged 16, a resident of Linwood, Christchurch, paid forfeit with his life. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, December 30. Ronald Eden, aged 16, Grafton street, Linwood, was drowned in the surf at Sumner this morning, when a 16ft centreboard yacht overturned in the breakers;. There were six youths in the yacht. Five were rescued U-fter being some time in the surf, but Eden’s body was swept Away in the strong current. The members of the crew of the ill-fated boat were:— Ronald Eden, aged 16, Linwood—drowned. Robert H. Smith, aged 19, Lichfield street, city, Wilfred Foster, aged 19, Woolston. jack Bedelph, aged 16, Waltham. O, Barton, aged 18, Linwood. F. Arnold, aged 19, Linwood. ' „ The youths left from the boat harbour shortly after 10 a.m., and were soon in trouble. Two members of the crew wished to return to the boat har-bour,-but it was ultimately decided to go on. YACHT FOUNDERS. The boat presently shipped water from heavy breaking seas and foundered, turning over sideways. Another breaker washed Eden and Barapn overboard. Eden struck out for the shore, but turned, apparently to look for Barson. Bedelph threw off his clothing and went to Eden’s assistance, but he was attacked by cramp, and was later picked up unconscious. Eden was not seeri again. LIFEBOATS LAUNCHED, Two young men, F. and W. Priest, of Sumner, were bathing from the beach directly opposite which the boat foundered. They at once gave the alarm, and the Sumner lifeboat was taken over the bar, which was dangerously rough, and a lifeboat from Scarborough also set out, but neither could approach the overturned yacht owing- to the pounding surf, and rescue work had to be carried on from the shore. PLUCKY REBOUEB. A scratch life-saving. team ran out a reel, and L. H. Heslop, of Auckland, in a belt, endeavoured to swim to the yacht. He was almost exhausted when F. Priest took the belt from him, but Heslop went into the water again and brought Bedelph out of the surf. Priest eventually reached the yacht, now at the mercy of the breakers, and rescued the remainder of the crew, who were brought ashore exhausted, with Barson and Bedelph unconscious.. ... ‘ .V iAii : ex«SEpti<inaliy?he3vy surf and strong currents hampered the rescue work. , ! A later message states that the body of Ederi was Washed up on the beach last evening. An inquest was opened by Mr Lowry, SLM., and'adjourned.