A DOUBLE FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21241, 23 January 1931, Page 7

A DOUBLE FATALITY.

MAN AND GIRL DROWNED. GALLANT RESCUE ATTEMPT FAILS. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, January 22. In a gallant attempt to rescue a half-caste Maori girl from drowning at Otaki beach to-day, Mr Sydney Albert Longuet, one of the best known figures in business in Wellington, lost his life and the girl, Theresa Burton (aged 13) was also drowned. One of Mr Longuet’s sons was brought ashore exhausted after a courageous attempt to save his father. The fatalities occurred shortly after 3 p.m., and there was a fairly heavy swell running at the time. Mr Louguet, who was managingdirector of the firm of Messrs A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd., Wellington, was spending a 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 C. D. A. George (of the firm of Messrs George and George, drapers, 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 shove 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 on the point of collapse. Working with a life line a party secured the body of the girl promptly, but Mr Longuet’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. 1 Tiie deceased girl resided in a church home at Otaki, and her grandmother, Mrs C. Bell, lives in the district. The late Mr Longuet was 64 years of age, and he 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 Co. 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. Before leaving for Otaki yesterday -Mr Longuet attended the funeral service of the late Mr T. Shailer Weston. 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. An inquest will be opened to-morrow morning at Otaki.'