TRAGEDY INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1926, Page 4

TRAGEDY INQUEST

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 7

The recent raft tragedy in the gorge of the Wiiiinakuriri River was recalled yesterday afternoon when an inquest was held into the death of Gerard Nelson Carrington, olio of the two young men who lest their lives. The other was John Stevenson Shannon, but his body has not yet been recovered. The coroner was Mr 11. P. Lawry. Sergeant M’Gregor appeared for the police. There was only one witness.

Walter William Brassiugton, teacher, said he had known Carrington for some years. The party left Christchurch on Saturday, August 21st.. for the 'White bridge beyond Cass. They loft the bridge on a raft and proceeded down the river. The raft was built of 80 petrol tins all compact. Those were well soldered and held together with 8 x 2 batons. They travelled about ten miles downstream and pitched tents for the night. Then on Sunday they set out again. The river had been high, but had gone down. The tributaries were high. About 2.80 they lauded, lit a fire and dried their clothes. The journey was continued, and two miles on the raft struck a

rocky bluff which turned it over. All were thrown 'll ihe water and witness ! saw no sign of Carrington or Shannon. There wns a very bail whirlpool at the place. Witness bung on to the raft, which was upturned, and succeeded in getting on it, but. could not get ashore. Tie then got pulled under the water. Ho lost bis bold, and became nearly unconscious, but lie managed to got his head above water again. 1 Tie was then washed under a bluff on the other side of the river, lie got washed on a sliinglv shallow, and crawled ashore, but was unable to stand. He could not sav bow far that was from the upturned raft, but it would be about. 800 yards. After regaining his strength he looked, hut could see no sign of the others. Tie then walked over the hills and stayed the night in an unoccupied whare. and on the following morning walked to Staircase. He reported the accident hv telephone, to the Springfield postmaser. Tie was very lucky in getting out. and he knew (ho others bad little chance, The verdict was that G. X. Carring- | (on was drowned in the Waimnkariri River, near Broken River, while endeavouring to negotiate the 'river by means of a raft.