LOSS OF LIFE AT THE OCEAN BEACH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 18

LOSS OF LIFE AT THE OCEAN BEACH.

A loss of life under peculiarly distressing circumstances occurred at the Ocean Beach on Wednesday afternoon, a young man named John M'Cutcheon being drowned when nobly attempting to save a young lady who was in imminent peril, but who was saved by the efforts of another man who happily came on the scene just in time to effect her rescue. The fact that the open beach is an unsafe place even for strong swimmers, owing to the force of the backwash that is sometimes experienced, is pretty generally known ; but the danger was not recognised by three young ladies— Emily Jeffreys, Gertrude Jeffreys, and Amy Low — who on Wednesday afternoon, at about 4 o'clock, started to bathe, and went swimming beyond the breakers at the beach, immediately opposite the tram terminus, at St. Clair. They could all swim well, and were enjoying their bath, when Miss Gertrude remarked to Miss Low that she thought her sister was rather far out. Both called to Emily to return, and then found that there was a stroug current off shore. With some difficulty Gertrude Jeffreys and Miss Low got ashore, but this Miss Emily Jeffreys could not succeed in doing, and the terrible situation that she was in was at once realised, and an alarm raised. The few people who were about seemed powerless to help, but John M'Cutcheon, the young man who was drowned, ran down from a cottage he was painting at the time, determined to attempt to rescue Miss Jeffreys. He had to run nearly 250 yds, flinging his clothes off as he ran, and entered the water without hesitation. As he went bravely forward he was heard to say, " I'm not a very good swimmer, but I'll do my best." He got through the breakers and was making towards Miss Jeffreys, having swum a considerable distance, when he was observed to turn round and sink suddenly. Whether this was from cramp, exhaustion, or, as has been known to be the case, choking from spray, is merely surmise ; but the young man was never seen alive again, though soon afterwards his body was seen in the surf. At this time Miss Jeffreys was swimming and floating, but was unable to get nearer to the shore. Just then Constable Hastings, who from the baths had noticed the commotion, hurried to the spot, and was followed by a young man whom he had despatched for the lifebuoy. Mr James Cannon, one of the employes of Wain's Hotel, also arrived, being on, bis way to the baths. As he

was an expert Bwimmer, he took the buoy and swam out with it, having of course much difficulty in getting it through the surf, seeing that there was a good length of life-line attached to it. He did manage, however, with very little loss of time to reach Miss Jeffreys and help her on with the buoy. Miss Jeffreys, although exhausted, betrayed no alarm, but was exceedingly collected, and thus made the task of her rescuer less difficult than it would have been otherwise. Mr Cannon swam back, encouraging Miss Jeffreys and directing the men who were drawing in the life-line, and the young lady was got safely on shore without having lost consciousness, but in a very exhausted condition. She was at once attended by Dr Macpherson, as were also her companions, who of course suffered greatly from the shock. The body of the brave man who first attempted tho rescue was seen in the surf, but Mr Cannon being partially exhausted, and recognising that it would be far more difficult to recover the body than to rescue a living person, thought he would not be justified in' again entering the surf, and the body was soon lost sight of again. Inspector Weldon and Sergeant Macdonell arrived at the beach at about 5 o'clock, and a sharp look-out was kept up, but without success until when it was seen in shoal water about midway between the tramway terminus and the baths. Mr Hugh M'Cutcheon, the father of the deceased, was with the men at tho time the body was recovered from the water. Mr Phelan, the well-known swimmer, got to the beach at this time prepared to give his services, aud he at once endeavoured to restore animation by the usual moans for the restoration of the apparently drowned. These efforts were unavailing, and Dr Macpherson, who examined the body, pronounced life to be extinct, and the body was removed to a cottage attached to the St. Clair Hotel.

The young ladies who, with peril to themselves and sad consequences to others, were bathing at the open beach reside at Mornington; and, as we have mentioned, Mr James Cannon, who succeeded in rescuing Miss Jeffrey, is an employe at Wain's Hotel. The young man who was drowned while striving to save the life of another is the son of Ml 1 Hugh M'Cutcheon, the proprietor of the Ayrshire Hotel aud an old resident in Dunedin. The deceased was well known, and was a general favourite with all who knew him, being of a cheerful, good-natured disposition, and, as the last scene of his life proves, willing to forget himself for others. He was wont to take a rather prominent place in cricket and football, and was a member of the South Dunedin Fire Brigade, and one of its representatives recently at Christchurch. Some five years ago he was married, and he leaves a wife and three children to mourn their loss.

am cannon's statement.

As the matter will be of interest, one of our representatives obtained from Mr Cannon an account of what transpired. Mr Cannon said : " Well, there's really very little to "say about it. I had just got off the tram and was going to the baths for a swim, when I was told that there was a woman drowning, and that a man had gone out to save her and been drowned. I went, pulled off my clothes, and meant to 6ave her. I could see her outside the breakers, about 200 yds, I should say, from the shore. I took a lifebuoy that was there with me, and found it a great encumbrance. I consider myself a good swimmer—in fact, I may say an expert swimmer— and had not the slightest fear on my own account. I managed to get the buoy along, though it was a tough job. On getting near to the girl I spoke to her, telling her not to be afraid, and pushed the buoy to her. She was not insensible, but very exhausted— just barely keeping up, but she displayed very great presence of mind. I helped her to put the buoy on, and then swam alongside and told those on shore how to draw in the line, telling them when to stop, because otherwise they would have dragged her under, The only trouble was when the surf came rolling over, but presently we touched ground and she was taken ashore. I think I was only just iv time ; when I reached her she had only strength enough to keep her head above water. I knew John M'Cutcheon well, and have known him for years. He was not a good swimmer. I don't know that there is anything else I can say, but I do hope something will be done for M'Cutcheon's wife and children."

We may mention that an effort will be made in the direction suggested in the closing sentence of Mr Cannon's statement, and that as a contribution towards it there will be given the proceeds of a performance by the Amateur Operatic Company, which is to take place on Saturday evening, those connected with it having generously agreed to give their services ; a committee consisting of Messrs H. S. Fish, M.H.R., A. Lees, H. Walden, T. Fogo, R. Swan, and H. B. Smith having taken in hand the making of the necessary arrangements.