The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 6,1909. THE NAPIER BATHING FATALITY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2469, 6 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 6,1909. THE NAPIER BATHING FATALITY

The latest bathing fatality- in Napier provides one more instance, of the dangers attendant upon sea bathing, or, for the matter of-that, of- bathing anywhere in deep water. We do not suggest that persons should not indulge in this healthy recreation, but it cannot he too strongly' impressed upon those who do that there are risks connected with the pastime which are frequently overlooked. In the case, of Mr. Clark-, son, it appears that a fine athlete, in first-clas health, and able to swim tolerably well, was drowned within a dozen yards of shallow water. Whether he took cramp or merely became exhausted through swimming against a current is not known. ' Reports state that the water was colder than; it had been this season in Napier, a fact which would tend to induce cramp; hut other facts seem to suggest that fatigue was the cause, as he succeeded in swimming slowly after his companion had first noticed that lie was in distress. it seems more than probable that he had swum out some distance from the shore and, finding the strength of the current too great, had become too exhausted to get back. The’.fatality demonstrates’ the need for the. greatest caut/on, and that bathers, when "’swimming out of their depth, particularly should -the .water be at all chilly, should contrive to keep so closely in company that immediate assistance can be given it one of their number proves to be in trouble. Not only that, but it cannot be too Strongly emphasised that it is as important for swimmers to learn life-saving methods, as it is that they should learn to swim. It is quite probable that.had either the deceased or his companion been acquainted with the best methods of keeping afloat, even though one became exhausted, the other could have .saved;.' him. As- it- was, misdirected efforts proved ineffectual. A feature of the tragedy which is .hard to under-

stand and is exceedingly deplorable is the fact that the attendant, who has been engaged by the Napier Borough Council, should have watched the affair .and refrained from taking action until too late, because he thought the bathers who were struggling for their lives were only “larking.” This misconception proved fatal; and it is to be hoped that determined steps will he- taken-in the future to prohibit the stupid practice which can le,ad to so cruel a result.