YACHT CAPSIZES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 31 December 1926, Page 8

YACHT CAPSIZES.

ONE OF CREW DROWNED. RESCUERS’ GOOD WORK, f By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 30. Ron Eden (16), Grafton Street, Linwood, was drowned at Sumner this morning, when a yacht, of which he was a member of the crew, capsized. The other five members of the crew were rescued in an exhausted condition. The members of the crew were— Ronald Eden (16), Linwood, drowned; Robert H. Smith (19), Lichfield Street; Wilfred Foster (19), Woolston; Jack Bedelph (16), Waltham; C. Barson (18), Linwood; F. Arfiold (19), Linwood. The boat presently shipped water from a heavy breaking sea and foundered, turning over sideways. Another breaker washed Eden and Barson 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 seen again.

Two young men who were bathing from the beach directly opposite, 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.

Rescue work had to he carried on from the shore. A scratch life-saving team ran out a reel. L. A. Hefelop, of Auckland, in the 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. Barson and Bedelph were unconscious. An exceptionally heavy surf and strong current hampered the rescue work.

The body of Eden was washed up on the beach this morning. An inquest was opened by Mr Lawry, S.M., and adjourned.