DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2411, 30 March 1922, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITY.

ONE VICTIM NOT YET RECOVERED. Although dragging operations have been continued systematically, no trace has yet been found of the body of Mr Peter Baker. All day yesterday two boats worked the dake on the western side of the sticks near where the boat capsized ,but to no effect. The boat, the unfortunate men ventured out in blew ashore on the western side on Monday morning, and it appears that one of the men must have put his foot through the floor of it, as the joint between the floor and the side'is gaping. The boat must have swamped, as it came ashore right side up. Yesterday the water was too rough to venture into the centre of the lake with oars alone, and ropes were attached to the boats, and they wex-e tied to the shore. This is the second double drowning fatality in Robinson’s Lakes, the other accident occurring in 1897. EXTRACT FROM “MANAWATU HERALD,” DATED JANUARY 12th, 1897. The town was cast into gloom yesterday afternoon on learning the sad fact that two daughters of Captain Sawyers, Birdie and Clyde, sixteen and thirteen years of age respectively, were drowned whilst baihing in the first lagoon on the Herrington Estate. Evidence was given at the inquest by Sarah Ann Simpson. She said that on the previous morning she had gone down to the nearest lakeon the Herrington Estate with Mrs Sawyers, her own children, and the deceased. All the ehildren went in for a bathe, and after (hey had been in a few minutes a son of Mr Waller’s called out that Clyde was drowning. Mrs Sawyer and herself ran to (lie shore, and Mrs Sawyers ran into the water and got out of her depth. She threw a rope to Mrs Sawyer and dragged her out. She said that s.he had reached Clydie’s leg, hut in saving herself had lost her hold. Birdie went into the water to save Clydie. and got out of her depth, and she saw both children sink out of sight. Mrs Sawyers insistedeon going in again, and she tied a rope to her waist and waded in near to where the ehildren were, hut failing to reach them, though she was under the water some time, Mrs Simpson dragged her back. • Aho\it an hour-Inter the bodies were recovered by Mr John llowan, who walked into the lake about 20 yards, wjiere he came upon/deep wafer and dived. He brought up. Clydie, and handed her to Air Frank Thynne, who carried her ashore. He immediately divCd again, and brought the other body up. The bodies must have been .some three hours in the water, and therefore past all fsftempts at resuscitation.