Extract from The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales (Taree, NSW : 1898 - 1954) Wednesday 9 January 1929.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Diamond Head, always popular with holiday makers who have previously visited the locality, was nearly responsible for a surfing tragedy during the Christmas holidays.
Whilst spending a weekend with Mrs Cross and family of Stewart's River, Miss Gertie Carle of Taree, with others, had a very narrow escape from drowning.
They journeyed to Diamond Head on Sunday, 23rd December, and after an early lunch, Miss Carle and Miss Kathleen Cross went for a surf, leaving a number on the beach.
After being in the water a short time, they both got into a very strong undertow.
They called for assistance, but as some joke had been passed previously to entering the water the onlookers did not take their appeal seriously at first, but could see later on it was no joke.
Miss Cross was the first to receive assistance, being the closest to shore, but Miss Carle, by this, time, was some distance out, and was having a hard battle with the waves before assistance reached her.
Mr. Pat O'Neill, of Hannam Vale, was the first to reach Miss Carle, but after a hard struggle he had to give up and was himself taken further out by the undertow.
Then Mr. Earl Kidd, a school teacher, home on holidays, with Mr. Jack Wittington, of Hannam Vale, went, to Miss Carle's assistance, but as Mr O'Neill became in greater difficulties they went to his assistance and Miss Carle battled on.
Mr. Ed. Bird, Hannam Vale, helped Miss Cross ashore. He then went to assist Miss Carle and finally brought her to shore after she had been in the water practically three-quarters of an hour.
Mr. O'Neill was then brought to shore about a mile along the beach in a state of unconsciousness.
Finally Mr. Earl Kidd was brought ashore on a very strong surf fishing line. When it is stated that it took three men to pull him ashore, it will give some-idea of the strong undertow.
Mr. O'Neill was worked on before he regained consciousness, and a car was sent Taree for Dr. F. O. Stokes. Miss Carle returned home with the doctor on Sunday afternoon.
The Misses Carle and Cross think it a marvellous thing that they got out of the undertow, for the whole party had quite made up their minds that they could not possibly get out.
The girls were not themselves for a few days, what with shock and swallowing so much water, but have quite recovered since.
What else is making news?
