Fatal Accidents

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 60, 27 October 1888, Page 2

Fatal Accidents

1 PER UNITED PREBS ASSOCIATION, f

InvEhoahgill, October 25

A lamentable accident occurred tbiff morning at Mataura Island, on the? river of that name. A man named Andrew McFarlane, a ploughing contractor, residing at Edendale, having; got employment at the Otaira Dairy Factory, near Fortrose, started with at-two-horse team for bis new location yesterday taking with him bis household effects, his wife and child and wife's brother and sister, together with a boy who had been living with; him. They reached the island in the* afternoon, crossing the main course of the river, which in ordinary circumstances is shallow and no bridge i* provided, but heavy rains had madeit dangerouß to cross, and McFarlane after taking the ford remained on hi» land all night. Mr Spratt, a farmer, then advised him not to attempt to* pursue his journey that way, but return and cross the river at Wyndham Bridge. McFarlane demurred to make? this detour of 20 miles, and early thismorning entered the river at the ford. The team had only advanced a few yards when a wheel dropped into anole. The dray swung round and its occupants seated among the furniture,, which was not secured, were swept into the river. The lad slipped out of the dray to the box, on .which, hesafely floated to a point about aquarter of a mile below, where he got ashore. The occurrence was not seen by anyone from the banks, but as none of the other five occupants of the dray have been seen since, it is almost certain that all are drowned. The dray did not capsize, and the leader dragged it and the drowned shafter out of the river. None of the bodies are yet recovered. 1 October 26. None of the bodies of the persons drowned in the Mataura have been recovered. Later news show that McFarlane made a gallant attempt to save his wife and her sister. He was swimming strongly close to the shore when he saw them struggling in the water, and turned back to help them. They sank before be reached the spot, however, and he soon after disappeared. This heartrending scese was witnessed by the only surrivor, a lad of eighteen, who seized hold of a part of a bedstead, and kept himself afloat till lie landed some distance down the river.