DROWNING TRAGEDIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3694, 30 December 1924, Page 33

DROWNING TRAGEDIES.

WARRINGTON SURF FATALITY.

A distressing fatality occurred at Warrington at about 11 a.m. yesterday, Mr R. A. Mathewson, the well-known Dunedin sharebroker, being drowned while surf bathing.

Mr Mathewson and his family went to their residence at Warrington on Christmas Eve to spend the holidays. The weather previously had been unpropitious for bathing, and yesterday morning Mr Mathewson and members of his family decided to take advantage of what appeared to be favourable conditions for bathing. There was a strong backwash in the viciniLy of the place where Mr Mathewson was bathing, and at the time there was a fairly large number of bathers on the beach.

Mr Mathewson apparently got out of his depth, and when within 10ft of his soa called for help. Four or five expert swimmers had not long left the lvater, and m. response to the drowning man’s cries immediately went to his aid. Some difficulty was experienced in bringing him to safety, but this was eventually accomplished by joining hands. Immediate efforts were made to resuscitate Mr Mathewson, but shortly after being rescued from the surf he suddenly collapsed and died. Mr Mathewson, who was 52 years of age, leaves a widow and a family of four sons and two . daughters, the eldest being 19 years of age and the youngest 10. The deceased, who was a Freemason, was a member of the committee of the Dunedin. Stock Exchange, and a member of the Dunedin Orphans’ Club. BALCLUTHA YOUTH’S DEATH. The local police have received word that Stanley Downes, 18 years of age, residing with his parents at Balclutha, was drowned while surf bathing at Port Molyneux at 11.30 on Sunday morning. KYEBURN RIVER FATALITY. Tho local police have received advice from Naseby that at 7.30 p.m. on Friday W. Hoare (farmer) and Joseph Allan (aged 71) were returning from tho Waipiata sports and when crossing the Kyeburn River near Mr Hoare’s house the horse and gig w oro washed down the river, the gig capsizing. Mr Hoare hung on to the reins, and was dragged to safety, but Mr Allan was drowned. Search parties have been out, hut the body has not yet been recovered.