DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2377, 10 January 1922, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITY.

YOUNG GIRL LOSES HER LIFE

A drowning fatality occurred at about 7.30 o’clock on Sunday evening, at a spot in the river to the north of Messrs Levin and Co.’s premises, by which a- young girl named Laura Henskie, aged 15 years, daughter of Mr and Mrs F. A. Henskie, of Robinson Street, lost her life. It appears that the deceased accompanied a young man named Irwin Wright and his grandmother to the river side. The former intended to have a swim, and the deceased to wade in the water. The river at this, spot shelves into deep water, with a strong current. Wright warned deceased of this as she came towards him and took his hand, and almost immediately after both sank into deep water. Deceased clung to Wright, and both were in difficulties. The unfortunate young woman apparently lost consciousness and loosed her hold of Wright, who managed to gel out in an exhausted condition.

A young man, William Ret ter, who was on I lie wharf, noticed Ihe couple in difficulties, and immediately went to their assitsanee. He saw deceased sink, and he dived repeatedly to recover her, but was unsuccessful, owing to the muddy slate and depth of the water and the current. The police and other.-wwere communicated with, and attempts made to recover the body by systematic dragging operations, which were continued up to a late hour, and again yesterday, and up to noon today, but without success. The deceased could not swim. Much sympathy is expressed with the parents of deceased in the loss they have sustained.