DISASTER AT LOUTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 211, 1 June 1920, Page 5

DISASTER AT LOUTH

RIVER BURSTS ITS BANKS MANY LIVES LOST By Telegraph-Prons ABSooiation-OopyrisM London, May 30. As the result of heavy rain, the canal bank at Lout}), in Lincolnshire, burst, and the town was flooded. Thoro were many fatalities, and twenty bodies have been recovered.—Reuter. (Rec. May 31, 7.40 p.m.) London, May 31. Louth i 6 a Lincolnshire town, lying at the foot of hills on the odgo of a marshy plain. The cloudburst occurred on tho hills a few miles distant. There was no warning of disaster, as the rainfall locally was not excessive. The flood'waters burst in the doors and windows, and many victims were trapped on tho ground floors. One woman escaped by climbing a chimney. Three children were having toa / with their mother. They mounted higher and higher to avoid the rising water, until they were compelled to cling to a curtain-polo. Then they cither dropped from exhaustion or the pole collapsed. All the children wero drowned. The chief polico officer attended the telephone continuously for three hours, standing in four feet of water.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. » THE DEATH ROLL. ' (Rec. May 31, 8.50 p.m.) London, May 31. Tho flood waters at Louth swept away bridges, houses, and walls in a few minIt is estimated that the death roll is fifty. Parties are now searching the debris. Only one survivor was found among the occupants of a terrace of twelve houses destroyed. The fatalitios include four firemen, who were swept away with an engine—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.- •.