DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT THE CLUTHA FERRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 46, 8 January 1862, Page 2

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT THE CLUTHA FERRY.

TWO LIVES LOST.

A shocking accident occurred at the punt on the Clutha River, on the southern road, on Sunday afternoon last, resulting in the death of -two men—one of them a traveller, and the other one of the persons in charge of the punt. Most of the particulars of this melancholy affair will be found in the official report, a copy of which we append. It is to be hoped that the authorities will take warning by this shocking accident, and .take care to have the punt put in proper repair, and to provide a spare boat and dragging apparatus at the ferry, so as if possible to prevent the frightful waste of life which must occur during the ensuing winter if proper punt accommodation and appliances are not provided. We understand that Mr. Thomson has already proceeded to the spot, with a view of seeing what can be done.

" Police Department, Molyneux Terry, lith January 1862.

Mounted Constable M'Cluskoy reports that a sad accident occurred at the Molyneux Ferry on the evening of the sth hist., by which two men were accidentally drowned. The accident occurred as follows :—■

About 4.30 p.m. one of the deceased men came to the ferry leading a horse, and wanted to cross in the punt. He was informed by the ferryman that it was riot safe to cross in the punt, as there was a great fresh in the river, and the current being stronger than usual, he was afraid the cable would not stand, and that it would be much better to go in the boat and let the liorse swim after her. Accordingly, the two deceased men —one of them being the traveller, whose name is not known at present, and the other the ferryman, named Malcolm Smith—and a third man, named James M'Dougal, got into the boat and arrived safely at the opposite side of the river. As soon a:s the liorse got tooting he was let go, but instead of getting out of the water, he turned and swam back again. The boat was shoved off to try and intercept him, but, getting into the strongest part of the current, she was swept down the river, and came broadside against the wire cable and upset. The tliree men caught hold of the cable and held on to it for a short time, but the two deceased men were subsequently swept away, as they had hold of the wire at a placi; where it was touching the water, and in the very strongest part of the current. The third man saved himself by coming hand over hand across the cable until he got out of the current, and then swam ashore. .'..■,

■' Mounted Constable .M'Cluskey further bogs to state that one of the deceased men could have been saved, if not them both, if there had been a second boat at hand. As far as he can see, everything: is out of order and in a very dangerous state at the ferry at present." . . - - ■

Fro:n a gentleman who arrived in town yesterday, we learn that the bodies of the drowned men had n t been recovered when he left the Molyneux on Monday night.