Fatal Accident at Hellyer's Creek.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 August 1886, Page 6

Fatal Accident at Hellyer's Creek.

AUCKLAND, AugUBt 24. Shortly before three o'clock to-day, Mr Warren Blythe, a settler at Greenhy the, near Hellier's Creek, reported that a fatal accident had occurred near his place. He states that about 9 30 this morning a boy ran to bis farm with the news that a boat had upset, and two men were clinging to the mast. Mr Blythe got into his dingy, accompanied by the boy, and after pulling about 100 yards, came to a man named Charles Clark, who is a settler at Hellyers Creek. He was clinging|to the mast of the cutter Tui, and his weight had almost pulled it level with the water. Clark was rescued by Mr Blythe, and stated that he had been in the water about a at hour. He said that he and a man named George, the owner of the Tui, had that morning started for town with about three tons of ffrewood. The boat heeled over to the wind and rapidly filled through a large gap that there was above the water level. Tho two of them clung to the mast, but Clark cays that about a quarter of an hour previous to his rescue, the man called George attempted to swim to the shore, but was drowned before his eyes after he had gone about 12 yards As Clark was unable to swim he was precluded from rendering any assistance. The deceased was tbe owner of the Tui. rie is a single man, and has no relatives in the colony. But for the prompt action of Mr Blythe there can be little doubt but that Clark must aleo have been drowned, as he was getting exhausted.