Ainsdale swimming disaster

THE weekend of August 2, 1938 was one of Southport's darkest.
Lookback reader Maureen Forward is a relative of one of the four swimmers swept out to sea at Ainsdale.
Her sister in law's grandfather, George Frederick Hollis, died in the disaster and Maureen approached the Southport Visiter as she tried to investigate what had happened.
She said, "We didn't know exactly what had happened but we are delighted to have found out. Her dad would never speak about it. It is obviously a shame that he never got to meet his grandchildren".
Four of the bathers were rescued, including George's son, George Frederick Louis Hollis.
While a crowd of hundreds was kept back, Lifeguards pulled all of the bathers to safety but Mr Hollis (senior) was in a critical condition.
Chief Lifeguard at the time of the incident, Pat Cullen, said, "From the look-out van I had seen the lifeguards' signals.
"I swam out to Mr Hollis and Mr Hargreaves with the assistance of other bathers.
"Mr Hargreaves appeared to be all right, but Mr Hollis was in a serious condition and although artificial respiration was tried and stimulants administered, he died".
Mr Hollis had been teaching his son to swim when he appeared to be struggling.
Two other bathers, Mr and Mrs Hargreaves went to help him out, when they began to struggle also.
The two lifeguards heard the cries for help and saw the group around 75 yards from the shore in water believed to be seven foot deep.