Sad Drowning Accident.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 141, 13 December 1895, Page 2

Sad Drowning Accident.

TWO YOUNG LADIES LOSE THEIR ' LIVES. A DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. (Per Press Association). Gisbobne, Dec. 12 A sad drowning accident occurred at Bushinere at noon to-day, resulting in the death by drowning of Miss Norris and Miss Palethorpe, two ladies well known and highly respected here. Miss Sherratt also nearly tost her life, bat is now out of danger. It appears that the victims, accompanied by Miss Sheratt, Mrs Frank Arthur, and the young children of Mr and Mrs Sberratt, went into the Waipoaa river to bathe. The ladies took the children across the river in a canoe to a shallow bank on the opposite side of the stream where the little ones could enjoy their dip in perfect safety, and returned in a canoe to the bank near Bushmere, from which they entered the water. At this spot there is a ledge upon which is fairly shallow water, and being under shade of the willows, seemed a very suitable and pleasant place to bathe. The ledge, however, does not extend far, and over it there is a drop into the deep bed of the stream, where the current sweeps fairly strong. Miss Palethorpe and Miss Sheratt were good swimmers. It is not ascertained yet whether Miss Norris was able to swim, but as the ladies entered the water at this spot, they did nt>t anticipate the slightest danger. Soon after they were in, however, and enjoying their bathe, Miss Norris got over the ledge into deep water, and was j at once in difficulties. Her companions, ■ seeing her trouble and hearing her call out, immediately went to her help. | Miss Palethorpe was the first to reach | the brink of the ledge, and held oat her ! hand to the distressed girl, who seized it. Miss Palethorpe, however, was unable to retain her footing, and in her struggle to bring Miss Norris ashore herself got into deep water, and both of them were in difficulties. Miss Sberratt, seeing their plight, went to their help, and on reaching them found them straggling desperately against the water, which sought to overwhelm them. The three floated together down the stream a distance of about 20 yards — all in a great state of terror at their plight, struggling wildly and clutching at each other vainly for help. Then, says Miss Sherratt, they all went under, and after a short lapse of time, which seemed to her like five minutes (it may only have been a moment) she managed to get free of the other two, and rose to the surface. That was the last that was seen alive of her two companions. It was only to the fact that Miss Sherratt is an excellent swimmer that the saving of her life is due. She managed to get near the bank, and was helped ont, but in a thoroughly exhausted and unconscious condition. Under Dr Innes' care she recovered consciousness, and was removed from danger. The bodies of the young ladies have not yet been recovered. Captain Kelly, of the ship Westland, sent out a boat's crew to assist in the search. Miss Norris' home was in Christchurch and Miss Palethorpe's in Lincoln, England, though she has a brother and sister resident in Christchurch. Both young ladies were governesses.