THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE RANGITATA.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 207, 6 February 1875, Page 3

THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE RANGITATA.

From news received last evening of this distressing accident, we learn that it was Mr J. F. L. Hunt, head master of the Timaru school, his wife and mother-in-law (Mrs Cunningham), who were drowned on Thursday morning while crossing the Rangitata. The supposition that it was Mr Mcintosh, arose from tbe circumstance that that gentleman, with two ladies, left Temuka early that morning in a buggy, and it was not known what direction he had taken. Mrs Cunningham, who resided in Melbourne, had been staying on a visit with her daughter, and was returning by the steamer Otago. Mr Hunt, accompanied by the ladies, left Timaru that morning between three and four o'clock, with tbe intention of placing Mrs Cunningham in | the train at Ashburton, and returning home the same night to be present at a distribution of prizes, which was to have taken place in the school last evening. As the name Cunningham had been seen on a portion of the luggage in the buggy, it was at first rumored that it was Mr P. Cunningham, of this city, and two ladies, who had been drowned. The sad news created a profound impression of regret in Timaru. The bodies of Mrs Hunt and Mrs Cunningham had been recovered when

the coach crossed the river yesterday. Mr Hunt, we believe, leaves two young children, the youngest being but two years old. We are indebted to the Timaru Herald for the following particulars of the accident, as given by the man at the ford:—"This morning a signal was made at the Rangitata for assistance. I came across the river and found a gentleman and two ladies in a buggy by the river side. The gentleman grumbled at my being so long coming. The ladies asked me if I thought things in the buggy would get wet. I replied that I did not, as the river was not high, the water only being up to the horse's belly. We then started to cross, I leading the way. Nearly mid-stream the buggy was slightly drifting down stream, when I turned back intending to lead the horses, when the gentleman sang out to me to lead the way, he would follow. On proceeding a little further I heard a noise, and turning round I ■aw the buggy capsized, andthe occupants all in the stream. I hastened back and caught hold of the elderly lady as soon as possible, and brought her out, but she was dead. I then went back to the gentleman, who was standing up to his waist in water, and told him to take hold of my stirrup and I would take him out. He then took hold of the stirrup and the horse's mane, and before we had got very far he let go his hold and disappeared, and neither he nor the young lady had been seen before I left. On arriving at Wadsworth's I was informed that they had breakfasted there. A buggy and gentleman and two ladies went through Temuka this morning at "about half-past six. We learnt from the Ashburton that up to eight o'clock in the evening it was believed there that Mr Mcintosh, of Mackenzie Country, with two ladies, were the persons who had met with the accident at the Rangitata; but there seems to have been no foundation for that rumor, beyond the fact that Mr Mcintosh was said to have been seen leaving Temuka Bo accompanied in the morning."