THE TINIROTO FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2149, 26 March 1908, Page 1

THE TINIROTO FATALITY.

Sergeant Hutton sent Mountedconstable Dandy to day to make inquiries into the drowning accident, in which a man named Thomas Rogers lost his life oil Tuesday, ami reported in yesterday’s “Times,” and to try and recover the body. Tho unfortunate man was only 30 years of age, and a native of Hobart. At the time of the occurrence, Mr. Edgar Wallis, in whose employ Rogers was, was showing tlie man over the river at what is known as the bottom crossing; the one which is' used when the river is in flood. •Mr. Wallis escorted him; over safely into shallow water, and returned, as lie was to take delivery of some sheep. On reaching the bank Mr. Wallis looked round and saw Rogers working with his dog, which had got into difficulties on account of the swift current. His horse not being used to rivers, swerved round and got off the track, and Rogers, overbalancing, pulled the horse over a. log, and both horse and rider were washed into a hole, which was said to be a swirling mass of water. Immediately Mr. Wallis rushed back to the river, threw off his overcoat, and Icaot into the seething waters to tho unfortunate man’s assistance, and was rnfried under. Upon rising, Rogers, who had succeeded ill getting on to a pana ledge, had disappeared, am' 51'r. Wallis saw him rise further down the river, but before lie could reach him the man disappeared, and was not seen again. Mr. Wallis was pretty well exhausted when he reached the bank, but he ran along the edoe of the river, and could see no signs of the man. Rogers was wearin" on oilskin coat, which probably interfered with his freedom when he "ot into difficulties, otherwise lie might have saved himself. A couple of chains down from the crossing there is a very deep ,still-water hole, ami it is surmised the body has been washed into it.