SAD DRWNING FATALITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 19 October 1907, Page 2

SAD DRWNING FATALITIES.

Per Press Association. Greymouth, Friday. I A distressing fatality occurred in the Grey river near Blackball. Constablo Lyons, Joseph Skinner (draper), and John Smith went fishing in a canoe. The canoe capsized. Lyons rescued Smith and then went to assist Skinner. Skinner is supposed to have caught hold of ins would-be rescuer, and both were drowned. Greymouth, Last Night. The sad drowning accident 'which occurred at Blackball cast quite a gloom oyer the town to-day, the deceased, being well known and highly respected. Information to hand shows that the three men were crossing the river in a canoo when it capsized. Smith, who could not swim, was helped to the upturned canoe, and held on. Constable Lyons, who was a strong swimmer, struck out for tlio shore, but was drowned. Bkin« ner held to the canoe for some time, and then attempted to swim ashore, and was also drowned. The river was dragged to-day, and this afternoon the hotly of Skinner was recovered about a quarter of a mile from the scene of the accident. Dragging operations will again resume at daylight. Skinner was a draper, and leaves a wife and flva young children. Constable" Lyons leaves two daughters, one married, an'd the other aged 12 years.