THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

THRILLING EXPERIENCE.

SHARK AND LADY SWIMMER. RATAL RESULT FOLLOWS SHOCK. A thrilling incident happened, recent!'.- at Boa-m bee Creek, near Goff s Harbor, Sydney. Mr. 1. H- Cooper, a commercial traveller, residing at Paddington, happened to be away on a business trip on the northern rivers, and while at Port Macquarie wrote, inviting his wife to conic up _ and sp.md a holiday. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper staved at an hotel at Cofi 8 Ham > , and oil being asked if they would like some oysters from the lease both readilv assented. -A hve-nnle clri\e along the beach towards die lease was a pleasant one. As the day was hot the visitors decided to swim the oicvk to get to the oyster bed. Not dreaming of any danger Mr. Cooper plunged in ’ and safelv reached tlm other sKlo, whdo. bis wile, in the meantime, was preparing to follow. Mrs. Cooper, bourn an excellent swimmer, the busband bad no fear on that score, and while opening oysters ho was much startled by an agonising scream. Cooper at once went to the rescue, and found Ills wife in a state of collapse. After a struggle lie succeeded in getting her ashore, when Mis. Cooper informed him she. had seen a shark. Cooper, after his exertions, was also in an exhausted condition. Thinking Mrs Cooper had been mistaken tlie husband prevailed upon her to take the return swim to obtain her clothes. Mrs. Cooper was swimming strongly until the middle ol the stream was reached, when she collapsod. Cooper, alter a desperate sting-* <rip in keeping his wife afloat and swimming himself, had his efforts rewarded bv safely reaching the land. Three days after her terrible experience Mrs. Cooper, who previous -to the occurrance bad always enjoyed the best of health, complained of feeling ill and came on to Sydney, where she died a little over a week later. Tin* husband, not anticipating anything serious, remained behind, and on account of the distance Irom Sydney was unable to reach bis home in time to attend tlio funeral. The creek is within fifty yards of the mouth of the open sea and had the husband had to struggle another three yards both would have gone under, as he was exhausted alter Ins exertions in saving his wife. Strange to «ay Mr. Cooper was subsequently informed that the creek was usually infested with sharks, and old residents stated they would not cross the stream at any . price, as monsters measuring 12ft had . repeatedly been seen there. Tlie .victim of the tenable experience was in the prime oi Jiic, enjoyed excellent health, and was an excellent swimmer.