DROWNED AT NAPIER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13928, 6 April 1909, Page 5

DROWNED AT NAPIER.

FRANTIC APPEALS FOll HELP.

Per Uress Association. NAPIER, April o. The body of Mr R. P. Clarkson. director of the Technical School, who was drowned on Saturday, has not yet been recovered. In connection with. the accident, it ax?pears that Ciarkson and a young man namfed £\ Espagne, a clerk in Dalgety and Oo.'s office, were the only persons in the water at tno time, liy the time Espagne was ready for his dip, Clarkson was paddling on the edge or the water. Espagne plunged straight in and swam towards the Masonic Hotel. Finding himself getting tired, he turned .back, and un again reaching a point opposite tn» marquees, saw that Clarkson had entered the water and was swimming towards the breakwater. Almost immediately, Clarkson began, to cry for help, and; seeing that his companion was in trbiil^ej Bspagne began to swim towards ftfni.' On coming in contact with him* Espagne said: "Are you really done*?" but it was evident that Qarkson had lost commnd of himself, as he was obliviou.3 of the fact that Espagne was there to assist him. H© began to frantically cry for the caretaker (Lynain). Espagne endeavoured to get Clarkson to roll over on his back so that he could support him, but deceased, who- was the bigger' and stronger of the. two, first clutched Espagne by the wrist and then gripped him round the side. Espagne realised the full danger of his position, and, finding himself powerless, sot up a frenzied cry for help with that of the drowning man. - " The people on the beach failed to realise the tragedy that was being enacted under their eyd3. Unfortunately it has been a practice amongst some bathers to sham drowning in the- waves, and set up mock screams for help, lhe caretaker and others thought Clarkson and Espagne were simply amusing themselves. Both men vmve. known to be able to look after themselves m the water, and as the sea was calm it was not thought possible anything serious could occur. Espagne saw that a terrible misconceptiori was being made on the shore, and as Glarkson continued to struggle, his position was a most •trying one. The whole of the xime he found himself out of his depth, and finally Clarkson slipped from his hold around E^agn^s tody, and grasped his would-be rescuer by the leg. A moment later and the unfortunate victim's hold relaxed, and Espagne reached the shore in an- exhausted condition. »

THE BODY EECOVERED.

' • • NAPIER, April T> TVIr. ClarkWs body was recovered - from the surf this morning tern Diy disfigured. . '. ■ ' -c »