TRIPLE DROWNING TRAGEDY

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1946, Page 5

TRIPLE DROWNING TRAGEDY

THREE YOUNG LIVES LOST WHEN BOAT CAPSIZES 0N LAGOON NEAR SHANNON Two youths and a young girl lost their lives when a boat capsized oh a lagoon near Shannon at about two o'clock yesterday afternoon. They were: Russell Ivan Birss, aged 19, soft of My. aftd Mrs. A. F. Birss, Sheehan Street, Shannon. Rex Hart, aged 22, sori of Mr. a,nd Mrs. C. Hart, Bryce ^ Street, Shanfton. J°y Sunnex, aged 12, daughter of Mn and MrS. C. P. Sunnex, Sheehan Street, Shannon. Betty Sunnex, aged 14, elder sister of Joy Sunnex/ Wtjo was also in the boat, was able to swim to the bank.

The lagoon is. situated beside the Manawatu River, near the Shannon bridge, on the property of Mr. E. J. T. Jennings, oii the Shannon-Foxton Road. and is known as Jennings' Lagoon. It is crescent shaped, and about two acres in extent. It would be from' 75 to 100 yards across. The boat was a home made one, and is stated to have sunk immediately. It is understood that Russell I

Birss, *who was a strong swimmer; went to the assistance of Joy Sunnex and Rex Hart, who were weak swimmers, and that in attempting to save them lost his own life.o B'e'tty Sunnex had to swim about 65 yards to the bank. The police were notified and dragging was commenced and continued until dark, but no trace of the bodies was found. Operations were continued today, but up to noon had proved unsuccessful. ' ' . ...