FATALITY AT ONGAROTO.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 23, 20 March 1924, Page 2

FATAL IT Y AT ONGAROT O .

i YOUNG MAN DROWNED, j i Swept A\v;r, by the River. Mr. Thomas Leonard Allen, why was employed on the T.T.T., Co.’s railway, while bathing' in the Waikato river at the bridge, got into d'fiicullies and' was swept away. it appears that his companion, Mr. K. Wilson, ’sent to the rescue but had to let. Alien pu again as he was also getting into difficulties and could iot secure a good grip, on the naked, form of the other man against the force of the water. Mr. McCafi’ery jiiKi sonic others then put out in a boat, but the unfortunate man, who was a poor swimmer, sank just before tbey reached him. Constable McMullen arrived from Taupo on Monday, 10th inst., and dragging operations have been carried out, but up to the beginning of this week without, .success. • Netting , lias been placed across the river some four miles further down in the hope of catching the body should it not have drifted clown that far. The river where the tragedy occurred is very swift, and a person needs to be. a fairly strong swimmer to go bathing there. Deceased was very popular in the neighbourhood, and was only 18 years of age. He was the sixth son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Allan,Df Hukerunui. This is the second tragedy to happen in the locality lately, a few weeks ago Mr. Samson being thrown from his horse and so badly injured that he died in Rotorua hospital a clay or two later.