TWO GIRLS DROWNED NEAR EKETAHUNA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2992, 30 January 1926, Page 3

TWO GIRLS DROWNED NEAR EKETAHUNA.

BIRTHDAY PICNIC ENDS

TRAGICALLY.

Eketahuna, Yesterday,

A double drowning fatality occurred at the Makakahi river, about miles from Ekctahuna, late this afternoon, the victims being two girls, Millie Dcarl and Phyllis Waterreus both about ten years of age. A birthday picnic for the latter girl was being held on the river bank, and a number were playing in the river when these two girls got out of their depth, also a younger Waterreus girl. Ellen Duffy got the youngest sister ashore and Esme Duffy made a big attempt to rescue Phyllis Waterreus, who, however, lost her gup before gaining the shore. Both the girls Dearl and Whtterreus sank in a hole in the river and the bodies were washed under a papa ledge. The other girls then ran for assistance, and a boy on horseback brought the news to the town. Immediately several people motored to the scene. In the meantime, a passing motorist had endeavoured to assist in the rescue, but was not successful. On the arrival of the others, the bodies were recovered and attempts at resuscitation made, but as the bodies had been in the water nearly an hour, this was given up as hopeless.