ACCIDENT TO A FERRY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9142, 11 May 1908, Page 4

ACCIDENT TO A FERRY.

A HARROW ESCAPE. Per Press Association. Westport, May 10. A vm'vit.;r-.-r>,l accident occurred on thy Bailer Hirer this morning. As the mail coach, which bad been detained from yesterday owing to the flooded state of the river, was crossing at the Nine Mile Perry, the ferry gave way, and the punt dipped at the bend. The coach ami five horses went overboard, all Lie horses being quickly drowned. The punt continued down stream at a rapid rate, and, hitting a submerged stump, had a hole knocked in the bottom. The driver (Pobl) jumped overboard ana, tried to get a ..small boat, but failed, and was almost exhr.utsecl when the passengers got out a lifeline and pulled him back to the punt. Tim latter was now close in shore, aud shortly afterwards several hpasseugers got ashore, "Miss Vance being nearly drowned as she jumped rather late.

Tim punt went oa 'again, but again got close ashore, and the passe ager 3 land c d. The pi!at contir.uioUdowa stream, crashed into a pier of the Duller Bridge, and finally became stranded on the west training wall, a few hundred yards below the bridge. Tim passenger Wore the Howard Vernon Theatrical Company, comprising Mr Howard Vernon, Misses D’Loito, Iris Vance, McKenzie, ana Ohatfic-M, Messrs Roland Rees, John Howard. Sirs Howard, and Tj Sir Joseph Mead, also Ola ado Grooby (punt nan g .josapn Askew (assistant), ana Moian Bold (driver of the coacn), Alt speak in highly eulogistic trrnu. of the courageous conduct of the driver. ‘Word ha; ju.-t cumo to hand that too mails i only coastal) and most of the Inga van r; A - t ~.c.: in tiio accident tins morning Ims been recovered, ana mat the ccach is in five feet cf water, bus undamaged.