DROWNING TRAGEDIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 7

DROWNING TRAGEDIES

WANGANUI RIVER CLAIMS TWO MORE VICTIMS. YACHTSMAN LOSES HIS LIFE. Special to tho “Times.” WANGANUI, January 26. The toll of the Wanganui river has been very heavy of late. Ou Saturday evening a young fefloiv named William G. Brown, clerk in Dalgety’s office, was claimed as another victim, it appears that four young fellows — William Smith, Herbert Thom, T. Cutfield, and W. Brown —iiad been out yachting, and when returning to town the yacht struck a snag and sank, tho bottom being ripped right up. Thom and Catfield swam to a launch near by, but Brown apparently became entangled in ono of the stays of tho boat. He was freed by Smith, and though assisted ho could not reach shore, which was only a short distance off. Brown’s body was discovered to-day. One leg had been cut where it bad been entangled with tho wire rope. Deceased was about twenty-five years of age, and a son of Captain Brown, Papanui road, Christchurch. The other two men stayed all night on board tho launch they swam to, and were under the impression that deceased had reached shore safely. MISHAP TO CANOE ENDS FATALLY. Special to tho “Times.” WANGANUI, January 25. An eleven year old son of Guard Murtagh, of tho Railway Department, had been spending his holidays with an uncle (Mr Summerhays), and ho went for a swim in tho Waitara river, at Purangi, with his uncle and three men. After having had a swim the deceased lad and his uncle went for a paddle in a canoe. When some distance from the bank the canoe upset, and the two occupants were thrown into the water. Mr Summerhays went to tho lad’s rescue, but tbo straggle was too much for tho former, and he had hardly enough strength left to reach tho hank. In the meantime Walter Buchanan dived in, and swam out to the boy. He was not a good swimmer, and he, too, was soon in difficulties, and was forced to desist in his efforts, and Murtagh sank.