BATHING FATALITIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1685, 28 February 1906, Page 2

BATHING FATALITIES.

TWO GIRLS DROWNED IN THE

waiiiata river

MISS CURRIE DROWNED WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HER SISTER.

A sbcck'ng double fatality occurro! in the Waiinata rivoc list evening, by which Dulcie Lawson Currie, aged 11 years, and Vernen Florence Currie, aged 15 years, daughters of Mr Henry Currio, woio drowned. A number of ohildreu bad gone in bathing after school hours, and tho two girls named bad gono in about half past live. The younger one, Dulcie, got into doep water, and'ber sistor, who could swim a little, went to her assietaboe. Soon both were in dire dangor of their lives, aud tbe other children ran and soreamad for assistance. A youth named Wintor was promptly on tho scene, but being unable to swim was practically helplosp. He threw in a stick, but it did do 6 suilioe to save the girls from sinking. Several youog mop eoon came in response to the calls fef help, and for a considerable jbime sought to reeoyer tbe bodies by diving, but the tide being ia'pnd it becoming dark, that effrrts were unsuccessful. Tbo b .dy of the younger g ! rl wa9 <Jis covered at twenty-five minutos past seven by Constable O'Hara and otheis. Tbe deepest sympathy will be felt for the parents in their sad bereavement. Tbe body of Vernon was found olose (o a j-tty at fivo minutes past twelve this morning by Messrs P. Vospor, G. J. A, Johnstone, Higgins, ODd Currio. Further information sbows that the eldor sister heroically sacrificsd her own life in the effort to save her sister.

Tbe giils, whose home is Dear bv, had pleaded for and obiainod permission to go for a bathe, on the promise ihat they wtuld not remain long. They went into a shallow part—a place that was quilo safe uodcr ordinary oi.comstaDC.’S —but Duieio by some means got out of her d.p h end shouted, “ Ob, Vemie, I’m sinking.” The sister at onco rushed ia, and Mrs Winter, whoio house overlooks the spot, saw Vernon g>.t her sister on hor beck, and make an tffott to swim to shallow watrr, but she wa3 pulled down by tho weight and both sank. Vernon’s body was found near tbe jotty, as if she bad s ruggled that far and then sink. She was tbo eldest of tbe family, and Dulcie was (ho third.

Mrs Currie, who would not l.a :o tbo bank until the first body wes discovered, was in a state of distraction last night owing to tho great gritf. Acousioof tho chi'dren was just goiDg down to ca 1 them when met by tho others rush'ng for help. Mr Currie was away from home at the time of tho disastsr, but arrived in time to take a diligent part in the search. Tho ioquest will be held this aftorcoon,