THE NORTHERN FLOODS

Southland Times, Issue 18845, 10 June 1920, Page 6

THE NORTHERN FLOODS

TE KUITI DROWNING FATALITY. GALLANT ATTEMPT .AT RESCUE. AUCKLAND, June' 8. A stirring story 'of a struggle in the flood was told at Otorohanga to-day at an inquest on the body of Frank Dunckley, supervisor for the Public Works Department, who was drowned in the flood yesterday. John McCready stated that he decided not to go out yesterday on account of the flood water. The deceased, however, received telegrams reporting slips, and said he would go. McCready said he would accompany the deceased. They met, among others, Robert McCready, son of witness, who called attention to the water on the road. Robert, who was riding a big horse, .changed with witness, and took the lead. Witness was next deceased. All went well until four chains from the junction, where there is a dip in the road. Robert’s horse began to swim, and he called out. The horse swam about three lengths and then touched bottom. Looking back, Robert saw his father was safe, but deceased was in difficulties, his horse plunging -wildly. Robert took his coat and v?st - off and jumped on the big horse ridden by witness, and went back to help deceased. He reached him just as deceased’s horse got clear. He caught deceased by the collar of the coat and deceased caught the horse’s mane. Robert pulled the .deceased behind him on to the saddle, when the horse, -which was swimming ail the time gave a great plunge, and threw them both off. Robert let the horse go, so as to help dedeceased. Both men went down, and coming to the surface, Robert got deceased on his back and started to swim. He was making little headway, since deceased was fully clothed, and was also wearing an oilskin, while Robert’s- own clothes were heavy. Deceased said: “1 am nearly done, Bob.” Deceased then let go and sank, never to rise again. A moment later Robert got on to a barb-wire fence and waited to see deceased rise. As he did not rise, Robert dived, but could not find him. The water was deep and muddy. Robert continued to dive until exhausted, when he swam to a tree about 10 yards off, from which he was rescued by a boat in an exhausted condition. Witness, when his son went to help deceased, also returned into the water to help. As deceased failed to rise, he rode back for help. There must have been at least 12ft to 14ft of wafer at the spot. A verdict of drowning was recorded. A rider was added to the effect that great praise was due to Robert McCready for his gallant conduct. Deceased was nearly four years at the front.