Police continued to grapple yesterday for the bodies of the six of the seven orphans of the Pride of Judea Home in Brooklyn who had been drowned when a wave swept over the sandbar on which the children had been playing on Tuesday. Officials of the home exonerated members of their staff from any liability for the disaster.
The particular spot on the beach where the children were having their outing is known as a treacherous place but no warning had been given the officials of the orphan home. Forty-one persons had been rescued from that spot on July 30.
Complaints that the life guards at the beach were negligent in their duty were made yesterday to the Queens County District Attorney’s office. As a result of these, a grand jury investigation of the life guards is expected to be ordered.
Maurice Stollerman, superintendent of the Pride of Judea Home and Max Blumberg, its president, today issued the following joint statement:
“We have refrained until now from making any statement and issuing a report pending a reasonable check-up on the multiplicity of the varied facts. We are now able to advise after a careful analysis of details surrounding the unfortunate occurrence that we cannot in any sense place the responsibility or liability on anyone.
“It was clearly an unforeseen and unfortunate occurrence. We are grateful and deeply appreciate the heroic efforts expended by the various life-guards. We also appreciate the fine services rendered by St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Rockaway Beach Hospital. We also wish to thank the police department for their splendid cooperation.”
The 105 children had been taken on the outing to Edgemere Beach in charge of officials of the home and a committee of women headed by Mrs. Max Blumberg, wife of the president of the home.
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