5 Swimmers Drowned in So. Jersey Waters
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Two Brothers Die as One Goes to Aid of Other; Another Treated for Exhaustion After Futile Rescue Attempt
Five swimmers were drowned over the week-end while seeking relief from heat by bathing in South Jersey streams.
Two brothers lost their lives at Crosswicks near Bordentown when one went to the other's aid in Crosswicks creek. Two died in inland waterways at Wildwood, while the fifth was drowned in Cohansey river at Greenwich.
Those drowned were: Claude Tucker, 12, of Crosswicks. Cecil Tucker, 18, of Crosswicks. William Bridges, 14, of Wildwood. William White, 16, of 7914 Lyons avenue, Philadelphia. Owen McCoy, 19, of Brooklyn, N. Y.
The Tucker brothers were swimming in the creek one mile from their home late Saturday with William Horner, 16, and Clifford Spooner, 12, of Crosswicks. Three of them swam to the river bank, while Claude Tucker stayed in midstream. He suddenly called for “help” and his brother went to his aid. At first it was apparent the older boy could save the younger one, but Claude got a strangle hold on the other, and they both went down.
Bodies Are Recovered
The other two boys went to their aid, but they failed to return to the surface. The boys notified the Hamilton township police, who grappled and recovered the bodies locked in each other's arms.
Coroner William P. Young and Dr. Theodore Mitskas, Crosswicks, worked with a pulmotor and respirator nearly an hour in a vain effort to revive the boys. Their mother, Mrs. William B. Tucker, who has been ill with heart disease, was prostrated with grief last night.
The boys are also survived by three other brothers and a sister—Aaron, 11; Samuel, 16; Marvin, 25, and Mary, 8.
The White boy was swimming in Hoffman's canal at North Wildwood yesterday when he was drowned. He and a companion, Vincent Krist, 7930 Lyons avenue, Philadelphia, went to the resort for the day. Krist made a vain effort to save White. He said he dived toward him, but White never came to the surface after going down. Krist said the boy had not eaten a heavy lunch. Beach guards recovered the boy.
Fails in Rescue
Young Bridges was swimming with Charles Carolson, 16, of 511 West Lincoln avenue, Wildwood. When Bridges called for “help” Carolson went to his aid. He struggled with him several minutes and finally became weak and Bridges slipped from his grasp. Carolson had difficulty in getting ashore.
J. W. Reed, 1147 North Twenty-second street, Camden, a passing motorist, notified police and beach guards, who recovered the body. A physician treated Carolson.
The McCoy youth and a companion, Arthur King, 21, of Brooklyn, were swimming in the Cohansey river. He said McCoy gave a startled cry and began to sink. Capt. Charles Briggs of Greenwich set out from shore in a boat. McCoy failed to come to the surface after first going down. McCoy and King went to Greenwich a few days ago to obtain employment.
Emma Metzger, 22, of 2267 South Seventh street, Camden, suffered a fractured skull at 4 p. m. yesterday when her head struck a pipe while diving in Blackwood lake. She was quickly rescued by friends and taken to Underwood Hospital, Woodbury, where he [sic] condition is said to be serious.
Joseph Stewart, 14, of Smith lane and Oaklyn road, Runnemede, received a severe gash on the right knee when he kneeled on glass while bathing at Runnemede. He was treated at Underwood Hospital.