SAD DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3960, 25 June 1929, Page 3

SAD DROWNING FATALITY.

CHILD FALLS FROM BOAT INTO RIVER. A sad drowning fatality occurred at the local wharf about 5 o’clock or Saturday afternoon, when Lawrence Barry, the nine-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. T. McGee, of Clyde Street, lost his life. The child, with his younger brotbejt, aged seven, and two playmates, named Haines and Mohelkey, were playing about Mr. McGee s garage during the afternoon but after some time they disappeared and evidently went down to the wharf. About) 4.30 p.m. Mr. J. Joseph, who happened to be on the water front, noticed the deceased jumping from the wharf on to the scow Portland which is moored ito the southern end of the wharf, and he warned the children about playing on the wharf and told them to go home. He left shortly afterwards when the children were still 'in the precincts of the wharf. It was only a few minutes after Mr. Joseph left the waterfront that 11/e accident happened. Frolm the statements of the little chap’s playmates it appears that deceased jumped from the wharf on to the ,‘Maidi” and then into a punt moored alongside. From there he attempted to jump into a flatbottomed boat tied up to the end of the punt and when he landed in the boat it rocked under the force of his jump and he overbalanced and fell into the river.

The other children became seared and ran home with the news of what had happened. Mr. McGee and Constable Owen were quickly on the scene but no sign of the child could then be seen. Despite the darkness a search was carried on for solme time but without success. On Sunday Constables Owen and Bell carried out dragging operations which are still being continued but so far no trace of the body has been seen. The playmates of deceased say they saw him floating down the river, past the steps at the wharf after he fell in but the river is very swollen and dirty at present and it is hardrio know just where to drag for the body. Mr. McGee had waii’ned the children not to go near the waterfront when they were playing in the garage and at dinner time had spe- , .ally impressed it on his children that they we{re not to go near the wharf.

Mr. Bradcock,°who. resides in Wharf 'Street, was seated outside bis residence on Saturday afternoon, overlooking the Wharf, and saw the children jumping on to the boats'but being crippled was unable to go down and send them home. Shortly before the accident happened, hoivever, being alarmed for their safety, he went inside for the purpose of sending someone after the children. It was while, be was in the act of doing this that the accident happened. Mr. and Mrs. McGee and family are recent arrivals in Foxton from Palmerston North, prior to which they were resident in Rongotea for a number of yeairs.