DROWNING ACCIDENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4785, 5 December 1924, Page 2

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

YOUNG MAN LOSES HIS LIFE. ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE WAIHOU News was received in Paeroa-early yesterday morning that a single young man, John Wesley Reed, aged 20 years, had been drowned in the Waihou River between Mangaiti and Waitoki. Deceased had been employed by the Public Works Department on the stop-banking works, and it appears that on completion of the day’s work on Wednesday afternoon deceased and a man named lO’Brien went for a bathe in the river, which at that place is some twenty feet deep. He plunged into the river, but he could not swim and was quickly carried down-stream and drowned tefore help could be given. O'Brien attempted a rescue, but in the struggle both were pulled under and O’Brien lost his grip on his mate, who disappeared. After swimming about and diving in the vain hope of recovering the victim O'Brien gave the alarm.

Constable McClinchy was communicated with, and on his arrival dragging operations were commenced and arc still being continued. The deceased, who was in good health, arrived from the Old Country about nine months ago, and as far as is known he had no relatives in. the Dominion. His next-of-kin is given as John Henry Reed, Blucher’s Farm, Milburton, Somerset, England.

I’he late Mn Reed had a number of friends in Paeroa, and a sad feature of the accident is that deceased was to have been married early; m the new year. The deceased was a prominent member of, the local Methodist Bible Class, and had assisted with the cnurch services flor some. time. He was to have conducted his first service at Hikutaia on Sunday next.