Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 05 June 1931

“Whirlpools.”

Swinton Youth Drowned at Harlington.

Coroner’s Warning.

A bathing tragedy which occurred at Harlington on Wednesday of last week was the subject of an inquiry by Mr. W. H. Carlile in the Harlington Inn on Friday. The victims of the tragedy was James Lynam (19), Pony driver, 14. Chapel Street, Roman Terrace, Swinton.

Arthur Ernest Watson, slater, of the same address, said deceased was his stepson.

George Lynam, brother, said he and James went with another youth on bicycles to bathe in the Dearne at Harlington. All three could swim and they had bathed there before. They reached Harlington at 3-30 and his brother went in. “He dived in from the bank and swam two or three strokes. Then he turned round and seemed to murmur something, with his arms in the air, and he disappeared under the water.” Four men dived into the water but failed to find his brother. He thought his brother was caught in a whirlpool for there were a lot near the wide part of the river. It impossible to swim in a whirlpool. At first he though his brother was trying to swim on his back. The water was shallow where they were bathing but deep at the other side of the river.

Answering the Coroner: I knew there were a lot of whirlpools about but did not think there were any at that point. There was a fast current.

Don’t you think it is very dangerous to bathe in this place?—There were a lot more in.

That does not alter the fact that the water is treacherous.

Lynam said there were about 20 other youths bathing near the scene of the tragedy, but most of them were out of the water when his brother began to drown.

The Coroner: Do you still think it is not dangerous to bathe there—Yes.

The Coroner: The whirlpools alone are enough to make.it treacherous, apart from the difference in the depth of the water.

Ernest Benton, pony driver. 25, Spencer Street, Swinton, also gave evidence.

The Coroner: Don’t you think it is dangerous? –There are always whirlpools there.

The Coroner: If a place is treacherous like that it must be dangerous.

Benton said the whirlpools did not “stand still,” but passed down the river. Bathers were unable to see them coining.

P.c. Baldwin, Barnburgh, said he was called to the river at 5.30, and when he got there Lynam’s body was near the side of the river. He pulled it out and tried artificial respiration. The river was treacherous where the lads were bathing owing to whirlpools and difference in depths. In one part the water could be waded in and only two feet away it might be more than 20 feet deep. It was very unsafe, but in summer there were always bathers there.

Recording a verdict of “Accidentally drowned, the Coroner said there was no doubt that it was a very dangerous place for bathers. The danger should be noted by the public. That was the second bathing tragedy reported to him in one day, and each ease occurred in a river where the depth varied to a great extent. No one but the best swimmers should be allowed, or even attempt to bathe in such places.