A tragedy hit the chareidi community of Stanford Hill in London on Monday, 14 Sivan 5772.

Rav Chaim Breish z”l, 65, visited the beach for health reasons accompanied by a talmid, R’ Yitzchak Beigel, in his 30s. A large wave hit and apparently toppled the rav and threw him against a rock, injuring him seriously. The rav was flown by chopper to QEQM hospital in Margate where he was niftar. R’ Beigel was transported to a local hospital and released following treatment.

The niftar was a son of Rav Shimon Breish of Switzerland, and a brother-in-law of HaGaon HaRav Avrohom Yehoshua Solovechik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk as well as HaGaon HaRav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Yehuda. The niftar served as Rosh Yeshivas Mesivta in London.

The rav was not feeling well of late, and decided to go to the beach for medicinal purposes, taking a short vacation at the home of his brother-in-law, Rav Berger. He went out with his talmid in the morning for a swim. After the wave hit, his talmid did his utmost to save him, but he himself was injured and his efforts were unsuccessful.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)