A DISTRESSING FATALITY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 19 December 1916, Page 5

A DISTRESSING FATALITY.

TWO BOYS DROWNED. WOULD-BE RESCUER LOSES HIS LIFE. AUCKLAND, Dec. 18. Two boys named James Horace lrwin (aged 13) and Raymond Sainty (aged 13) were drowned in a pond on the Campbell estate yesterday. Accompanied by a third boy named Cochrane they wore playing on the estate. Saiuty and Cochrane, both of whom could swim, went for a bathe in the pond, and Irwin, who could not swim, went un the pond on a wooden raft. Suddenly the raft capsized, and Irwin sank. Both Cochrane and Sainty made a brave attempt at rescue, but Sainty wa§ seized by Irwin, and both went to the bottom. Cochrane’s attempts to save both boys was unavailing, and after diving for some time he went for help. When the bodies were recovered, the deceased were found clasped in each other’s arms. At the inquest to-day the Coroner | found that Irwin had been accidentally I drowned, and that Sainty was drowned while heroically attempting to save Irwin. He also commended the action of Cochrane in attempting a rescue.