BATHING FATALITY

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 6 March 1902, Page 3

BATHING FATALITY

AUCKLAND, Monday. Particulars of a sad bathing fatality whereby a young lady named Norah Gilmore, aged 15A years, was drowned at Cheltenham beach, Devonport, are to hand. In company with live companions—Ruby White, Ida Stone,

Eva .iones, f -'llen Stone, and Emily Jones, whose ages range from 13 to 17 years, deceased let'c her home in Eden Vale Road, Mount Eden, for Devonporl, in the latter part of the afternoon on Saturday with the inten-

tion of having a picnic there. The party went to Cheltenham Beach, and shortly after noon went in for a bathe near the rocks at the North Head. Practically none of them could swim. While in the water four of the girls,

including Miss Schofield, were lifted off their Feet by the tide. Miss Gilmore, who was nearer shore than the others, called out, “ Help, Lilly !” meaning Miss Schofield. Miss Gilmore went cut herself, and tried to catch hold of her companion, but was unsuccessful, and sank, it is believed,

into a hole. When she came to the surface again she had drifted four or five feet away. A cry was immediately raised for help, and Mr Frank Rcnshaw, who was in the vicinity, answered the call, but, not being a strong swimmer, was unable to reach Miss Gilmore, who was now floating apparently lifeless with her head downwards 30 or 40 yards from the beach. Mr Renshaw returned to the shore, and, with with the assistance of a torpedo man, Mr John Williams, got a boat and ultimately secured the the young lady’s body. Miss Schofield was saved by a number of her companion, who pulled her in shore. Di Laing having appeared on the scene, artificial respiration was tried upon Miss Gilmore, but all endeavors to bring her back to life were unsuccessful.