ACCIDENT AT THE OCEAN BEACH.

Western Star, Issue 13, 7 February 1874, Page 1 (Supplement)

ACCIDENT AT THE OCEAN BEACH.

A sad case of drowning occurred at the Ocean Beach, near Tomahawk, on the 30th, by which Charles Peter Begg, son of Mr Adam Begg, of Anderson’s Bay, lost his life whilst bathing. The accident happened at about eight o’clock. Deceased and other young meli ’ha-med'Charles Dunhas Samuel, John Begg, and Matthew Begg, (the two last-named are brothers of deceased) went over to the Beach to bathe. John Begg and the deceased had forded out, and were waiting to get a wave to carry them ashore, when one came along, which the former observing, said to his brother—“come let us swim ashore,” and thought his brother was behind him, but when he reached the shore and looked for him, he saw him out far beyond the breakers drifting out to sea. The young men tried all in their power to save the unfortunate young man, but without avail. On the occurrence being reported to Constable M'Laughlin, who is stationed at Anderson’s Bay, he searched ihe beach with lamps, with the assistance of some residents ; and immediately on its being known in town about 2 a.m., Sub-Inspector Mallard immediately despatched a constable to the place, but the idea of dragging for the body was abandoned owing to the state of the beach. The body, however, was recovered at halfpast eight next morning, when it was,found on the beach by Mr William Begg, about half a mile from where they went to bathe. On its being examined there were found to be two cuts on the right temple, probably by the body striking against the rocks, a small cut on the left eye, and a few scratches on the right leg and arm. Deceased was twenty one years of age; a surveyor in the employ of Messrs Connell and Moodie, and a member of the Naval Brigade Company, by whom he was much respected. His brother Matthew had a narrow escape from being drowned by going into the water beyond his depth and getting into one of the holes which abound about the place. He quite exhausted when taken out of the water.