WANGANUI RIVER TRAGEDY

Chronicle (Levin), 27 December 1946, Page 4

WANGANUI RIVER TRAGEDY

— Pres* Association

Bv Telearavh-

WANGANUI, Dec. 26. As the result of a dinghy capsi/.ing in the Wanganui liiver near the lvarbour entrance about 5.45 p.m. today, a married man, John Albert -Hollenback, a butcher of, 16 Bennett Street, Castlecliff, is missing and believed drowned. His son, John Williain Ilollcnbaek, an airrnan, aged 1.8, stationed at Ohakea, succeeded in Teaching the south mole and getting ashoro. He Avas subsequently removcd from there by Ihe Wanganui Ilarbour Board's pilot launeh and brouglit back to the tvjwn side of the riyer, two and a-half hours after the accident. Another son, Maurice Hollenback, aged 16, had been put ashore on the north mole a sliort timo before the boat was swamped. Mr. Hollenback and his sons left Castlecliff about 5 p.m. to go kawhai fishing. A swell xvas running at the harbour entrance at the time. The boat, which was about 12 feet in length, had a heavy out board motor in Ihe stern. The craft was caught on the bow by a wave and sank immediately. The plight of those in tlie boat was noticed by Mr. A. R. F. Maekie, of Wellington, who with a oonipanion, Mr. E. A. M unden, also of Wellington, was walking' along the sandhills near tlie north mole. While Mr. M unden went to the pilot station for assistance, Mr. Maekie xvalked along the mole and saw Mr. Hollenback, Snr., swimming near the rocks. Mr. Maekie was unable to assist him as no rope was available. L:Ie was in seareli of something to. lower to the struggiing man when-he saw" him disappear. A seareh by launeh was fruit, less.