DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1928, Page 1

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

IN BULITER GORGE. OAR FALLS INTO CREEK. Messrs R. T. Watson (Granite) and S. J. Atkinson (AVetsport) were drowned in Blackwuter Creek, Buller Gorge, on Sunday evening at 8.30 o’clock, when their car went over a bank. Air C. N. Buist, manager of the Charming Creek Coal Aline, who was a passenger in the car, was saved. He was able to get out of the car. It is believed that loose metal caused the car to skid near the creek and go over the bank. It fell into a deep part sinking four feet below the level of tile water. The late Mr Atkinson, a. farmer at Orowaiti, was a member of the Westport High School Board: and School Committee, mid other local bodies. He leaves lour sons mid three daughters. Air Watson, aged 60 years, was a well-known Grnnity hotelkeeper. He leaves a. widow and'a son and daughter.

Mr Biiist gave news of, the tragedy at Berlin’s, Buller Road, and when this was sent on to Westport, Sergt. McGlone. T)r Foote, and Messrs R. and I’. Betts proceeded thither. Tho ear left the road at the entrance to Blarkwater Creek Bridge, and plunged down about 70 feet into the creek. Buist had a miraculous escape, not knowing what had happened until he shot up out of the water. He made for the hank, and “.cooeed” and called, hut could get no reply, so he went hack to Berlin’s Hotel, and phoned the police at Westport; parties proceeded to the scene of tho accident, hut could do nothing until next morning, when both bodies were recovered, that oi Watson in the car, and Atkinson s two chains down the stream. Both victims were prominent citizens highly esteemed and the tragedy east a gloom over the district. A,, inquest was opened yesterday afternoon for identifiuthm purposes, and was adjourned till Friday » p m Atkinson's nephew swum out to the sunken ear. cutting a- hole m the hood, to find Watson’s body.