AUCKLAND BOAT ACCIDENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 171, 9 April 1918, Page 4

AUCKLAND BOAT ACCIDENT

* THE SURVIVOR'S STORY. Hy Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 8. Tlie only survivor of the boat accident in tho harbour on Saturday evening is a Siimoan boy named Christian Hellesoo. He is an expert swimmer. Great praise is due to him for his .efforts to save John Skinner.

He states that he, with the four doceased, set out about 8 p.m. in a 12ft. dinghy, with the intention of fishing off North Head. On arrival at the fishing ground they lit a hurricane lamp as a protection from large vessels. Shortly after 7 p.m. they took the light in the boat, so that they could see to cut up some bait. Suddenly he fiaw the headlight of an approaching vessel. Ho told the others that a vessel was behind them, and called cut to those on tho vessel.

While they were trying to pull up tho anchor to avoid a collision the towlino caught tho dinghy's mast and dragged the small waft towards the vessel which was being towed. The dinghy capsized, and all tho occupants were thrown into the water.

Ernest and David Skinner caught hold of Sutherland, and John Skinner seized Hellesoe. Hcllesoe managed to right, thn dinghy, and place John inside ii. Unfortunately tho dinghy filled again. John was thrown into the water, and ho drifted to whore Sutherland was holding up the other two boys, both of whom were calling out. Sutherland called out, "I'm done, Christian; save yourself." A boat then arrived, and Hellesoe, who had managed to climb on to the upturned dinghy, told them to go to Sutherland and the others first. However, they picked him up first. When ho looked again the others had disappeared. Hellesoe was taken on board one of the vessels and brought to the city, when the police were informed of the accident.