BEACH FATALITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 6

BEACH FATALITY

YOUNG MAN DROWNED UNABLE TO SWIM ASHORE SAD ENDING TO A BATHE Alan Leslie Francis, aged twentytwo, whose stepmother, Mrs A. M. Francis, resides at Springvale, was drowned at Castlecliff yesterday morning at a point naif-way between tne Kiosk and the cliffs towards Kai Iwi. He was bathing with a son of Air John Coull, Donald, aged 11, and apparently went out too far anil was unable to make the shore. Donald Coull was just able to get in. Francis, accompanied by the two Coull boys, had been out since daylight in a very enjoyable canoe trip round the entrance to the river. The sea was calm, and the three remained out off the moles and down the coast until round about 8.30 a.m. They tied their canoe at the wharf and then proceeded to along the beach. Francis wanted a swim, but the elder boy Coull, John, aged 17, had no togs and as all three of them had to be in town by ten o’clock, he was reluctant to stay on the beach any longer. Finally Francis and the younger boy entered tne water, John agreeing to wait for them on the sandhills. Shortly after, he noticed that Francis was in difficulties and, stripping off, made out towards him. The younger lad was then coming in on a wave. By the time John Coull had got out to where he last saw Francis the unfortunate bather had disappeared. A seato’h was prosecuted for the body immediately, Constable W. Trask utilising the Harbour Board’s launch, piloted by Mr J. Wilkins. Air John Coull senior, gave every assistance and

an aeroplane was made use of, piloted by Miss Jane Winstone, who took Mr K. Congreve, honorary instructor’of the Royal Life-saving Society, as observer. The launch patrolled the beach, but the body was not recovered until 1.30 p.m., when Air Leo Fromont, who was batkr ing a few yards below the point where • the accident occurred, found it in the ’ surf. The late Air Francis was employed by Air John Coull as storeman and clerk, and had been in that position for some five jears. He was of bright disposition an 1 popular. His father died not long ago. It i s thought thaf he was a victim of an undertow, although trained observers say that the outward current at that particular point was not worse than usual. Francis was an indifferent swimmer and may have encountered difficulty iu a hole, where the action of the sea, within a confined area, confused one not well versed in coping with an emergency in an unexpected current.