SAD TRAGEDY NEAR KERANG, VICTORIA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1590, 1 November 1881, Page 2

SAD TRAGEDY NEAR KERANG, VICTORIA.

THREE LIVES LOST BY DROWNING. Particulars have just been received of the death of three women by drowning in Ban* Creek, eight miles from Kerang. The victims were the wife and two daughters of Mr W. Pippin,' who owns a selection on which he resides with his family. One of the daughters was married only six weeks ago to another selector, named Ready, whose land adjoins that of his father-in-law. Yesterday both men left home as usual to work in their paddock, returning in the afternoon. Tneir attention was attracted by the Marking of Pippin's dog. which seemed to be greatly disturbed at something in the creek.. On examining the creek, which at that place is very wide and deep, a woman's hat was found on the water. Pippin returned home, and was informed that his wife and daughters had gone to the creek for water, on bearing which, he returned to the cieek. On close examination be saw the ears of a horse just above water, the horse being attached to the cart. On the horse and cait being pulled out, the dead bodfes of Mrs Pippin and her married daughter, Mrs Ready, were extricated. The civek was then dragged, and the body of the second daughter, Ellen, who wa* only 15 years of age, was also foiml about two and a-half hours afterwards. On making inquiries it appears that Mrs R> ady called at her mother's house in the afternoon, and about 20 minutes to 4 o'clock started with her mother and sister to the creek for a barrel of water, leaving a boy about 12 years of age at home, and he was the last person who saw them alive. Where the disaster took place the creek is 90 feet wide and about 12 f«;et d ep in the deepest part. When found, the