SEASIDE TRAGEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 6

SEASIDE TRAGEDY

YOUTH DROWNED VICTIM OF RANGITIKEI SURE In spite of a gallant attempt at rescue, Ernest James Brightwell, a youth of 17, was drowned in the surf near the mouth of the Rangitikei River yesterday afternoon. A tragic drtuna of life and death was witnessed by the crowd of visitors to the beach when Brightwell and his sister got into difficulties. When the receding tide began to carry the boy and girl out to sea a crowd quickly collected. The pair were then struggling 100 yards from shore and the frantic parents lappealed for someone to go to their aid. Fully dressed, a young man named Baker, of Marton Junction, immediately tried to effect a rescue, but was defeated by the current. The struggling pair were separated, and were being carried further out. Meanwhile a reel and line were procured from thc beach kiosk, and several swimmers manned this rescue gear. The lad was too far from the shore to be reached, and disappeared, but the girl was reached by the life-savers, and brought ashore after a struggle. She was unconscious, but was revived after first-aid had been applied. The victim of the tragedy was a son of Mr and Mrs H. D. Brightwell, who reside near bulls. The sad occurrence created much sorrow among the people tat the beach, and deep sympathy was extended to the bereaved parents.