SHOCKING BOATING FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81860, 9 October 1906, Page 2

SHOCKING BOATING FATALITY.

I EXCURSION LAUNCH CAPSIZES.

TEN PERSONS DROWNED,

UEART-RENDING SCENES.

(Per Press Association.)

Blenheim, October 8. A shocking boating fatality occurred yesterday afternoon, which was the worst in the records of the province. About five o'clock an oil launch, excursion was returning from the bar, and within 100 yardß of ihe landing stage near the town, the launch struck a submerged stump and heeled over. About twenty passengers were precipitated backwards into deep water. The river is only about three chains wide, yet ten persons were drowned. Valiant rescue work was done by some of the passengers, also by a party of three men who were lounging on the bank lower down the river. About a dozen children were rescued. One passenger named McKinley rescued two or three, and then took cramp and had to be rescued in turn. Ho and others were taken to the hospital. There were two women on board. One, named Mrs Baldwin, was rescued alive, but expired within an hour. An immense crowd congregated, and heartrending scenes were witnessed, as the bodies were recovered and brought ashore at intervals. Dragging operations were carried out until midnight, at which hour seven bodies had been recovered and identified besides that of Mrs Baldwin. Operations were resumed at daylight. As no register of tha passengers had been taken there was great confusion a's to who were lost.

The following is a list of the perijns drowned:—

Edward Nash, labourer, single, aged 28, an ex-member of the second Victorian Contingent, and afterwar la a member of the Johannesburg- Police, His father is believed to be a sergeant of police in the Melbourne district.

John Mincman, a shearer, single, aged about 46, He had been about the district off and on for ten years. He has listers in New South Wales, believed to be in a Waverley suburb of Sydney. Parker, married, with a family, j residing at Maryborough, Wairarajpa. He was recently from Packingliam, London, and aged about 60. Bert Berry, married, aged about 36, a native of Blenheim. He leaves a wife and children.

Edward Baldwin, aged about 45, husband of Mrs Baldwin, already mentioned. He had been in the colony 1 about 20 years, and was well-known in the Rangiora district. He recently came into a big property at Home, and the pair were just about to return to claim it.

Mrs Jackson, wife of James Jackson (absent in the country). Mrs Jackson's three young children were 'saved.

Wqstley Patchett, aged nine, son of George Patchett, proprietor of the launch (who was driving; the engine), is still missing.

Blenheim, October 8k

The body of the boy, Harry Berry, aged oight, son of the man drowned, was recovered this afternoon.

Dragging is now suspended, so others being reported missing. The Coroner's jury held a preliminary inquiry and adjourned until tomorrow.

A public funeral is to be held on Wednesday. McKinley, who took part in, Jue rescue and then suffered from cramp,, is rapidly recovering- from the effects.

The suddenness of tho disaster j caused a panic. Those thrown into the; f water clutched at eaoh other, making rescue impossible. About six, mostly boys, were resetted, and nine lives w«e lost, Edward Baldwin who, with his inife was drowned, was well-known oa tho, West Coast, and was a distant cousin of the late Mr Seddon.

Tho police and helpers wore indefatigable in the work of rescue,, everything possible being done to saye life, and uoj blame is attachable to anyone.