DROWNING TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 255, 27 April 1912, Page 5

DROWNING TRAGEDY

WO.UAX AXD CHILDREN LOST. -> Sydney, April 17. | A distressing drowning accident, in ; which a mother and three children lost their lives, is reported from Brisbane. "i The fatalities occurred at Whitton'a , Flat, on the Brisbane river, the victims being Mrs. Louisa Maunder, wife of Mr,.| E. W. Maunder, a traveller in the ploy., of Winchcombe, Carson and Ofc,| and her children—Ruth, aged 10; liam, aged four; and Hilda, aged 2. f j The deceased lady was sitting on the' banks of the river. Hilda, the habv girl, * was playing about, when she tripped over ■■ and rolled into the river. The mother immediately rus'hed to her aid, and H plunged into the river. She made *"''' desperate effort to Teach the infant, who ;? was carried away from the bank bys»jts current. She was quickly out of her t depth. , . »? Ruth and William, agonised at their .' mother's predicament, rushed to river bank. They also fell into the water. An el dor brother, aged about 12, plunged into the water, but was unable to J save any of the unfortunate people. j was only able to regain the bank m an 1 exhausted condition. \ Two men in a motor boat were soon on the scene, and at once commenced sj diving. To see anything in the muddy < waters was impossible. After repeated-.'; ly diving and groping in the water, which was shallow at the spot, the body '» of the mother, with Ruth and William j clinging tightly about her,was discovered. The bodies were placed on the bank, 'but ' attempts at resuscitation proved un- : availing. ;