Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Tuesday 2 January 1923, page 6


TRAGIC RESCUE EFFORT.

Mr. J. C. Crawford Drowned.

Mr. John Caldwell Crawford, of Hawker's road, Medindie, who in his younger days was one of the best-known figures in Adelaide, lost his life in tragic circumstances at Port Willunga on Sunday

morning. He was spending the holidays at the Residential Cafe there. At about 7.30 o'clock he and four other boarders pro-ceeded to have a dip in the briny. The party comprised Messrs. Crawford, A. V. Cave (a prominent member of the Nor-wood II. Football Club), A. V. Crase (a neighbour of Mr. Crawford), V. V. Crase (of Fullarton, a nephew of Mr. A. V. Crase), and Comley (of the teaching staff of (Prince Alfred College). Four of the quintet entered the sea at their customary spot, but, finding that there was a strong swirl and a treacherous undercurrent there, they decided to move further along the beach. One member of the party was then having a run on the sands, which was his wont before and after bathing. When he took to the water, he went to the cus-tomary off-take. He was the strongest swimmer of the five, but he soon found himself in difficulties having been caught in the undercurrent; and whisked seaward. When he called "Help!' the others thought that he was joking. As cries of "Help, help!" followed it was realized that he was in difficulties. Mr. Comley could not swim, but he ran for assistance Messrs. Crase (2) and Crawford went to the rescue. The Crases and Mr. Cave suc-ceeded in getting back to the shore, but in an exhausted condition. Mr. Crawford could not return. He called for assistance. His friends, although "completely done" attempted to go to him. Simultaneously a wave carried him towards the beach. It was then thought that he would be able to get out. The backwash, however, took him in its train. A second wave bore him towards the shore, and again the back-wash claimed him as a victim. Mr. Craw-ford then disappeared beneath the surface. Speedily fresh assistance was obtained. A local fisherman (Mr. H. Howe) and Mr. A. V. Crase waded into the sea in search of the body, which was recovered from com-paratively smooth water, 4 or 5 ft. deep, outside the region of the swirl and under-current. Artificial means for restoring the apparently drowned were tried, but with out avail. Dr. Brownell, who had been called to the scene, and arrived shortly after the recovery of the body, declared that life was extinct, and that, in his opinion, death was due principally to heart failure. —Biographical.— The deceased was 60 years of age and was married. His wife (formerly Miss Tena Kugelmann) was, at the time of the tragedy, on a holiday in Sydney. A son (Mr Colin Crawford) also survives. The late Mr. Crawford was born at Renfrew (Scotland), in 1862. When he was 14 years of age he arrived in South Australia with his uncle (the late Mr. H. A. Craw-ford). Except for a 12 months' trip to the old country, he had resided in Ade-laide continuously. Two brothers and a sister are resident in Scotland. Many people well remember Mr. Crawford's enthusiasm and keeness in cricket. In the late '80's and early 90s he was captain and manager of a team known as The Strugglers, who every Saturday afternoon toured the hills districts and played local teams. Its members were drawn from the ranks of A Grade players, who wished no longer to participate in senior cricket. They included such well-known citizens as A. J. Bleechmore, G. M. Evan, W. Stick, J. N. Hines, and C. Miller. The de-ceased was for many years associated with the firm of Crawford & Co., Limited, King William street. He had also been a member of tbe Walkerville District Coun-cil. At the time of his death he was accountant for Mr. P. J. A. Lawrence, broker, of Waymouth street.