FLOOD TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1920, Page 5

FLOOD TRAGEDY.

DESOLATION IN ' LOUTH. PffILDREN'S TERRIBLE DEATH. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received June 1, 10.5 a.m, London, May 31. Horncastle, twelve miles south-west of Louth, was isolated fora Saturday until to-day, the roads being flooded to a depth of five feet, and the railways impassable Great damage was done to property, hut no lives were lost. Pedestrians in the Manchester district only saved themselves on the high roads by swimming with the flood waters. There is terrible desolation in Louth. Tons of debris lies everywhere, amidst black mud, including motor cars, pianos, and bedding. Several children were trapped on the ground floor of a house, and their mother vainly tried to save theim by piling up furniture and putting them on top. • In another case the mother made her children climb a high dresser and hang on to hooks in the ceiling. When the dresser collapsed three children let go the hooks and were drowned. The mother and one child were saved. —Aus.-N.Z, Cable. Ascn. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £250,000. London, May 31. The damage at Louth is estimated at £250,000. Over 700 persons are homeless. The river rose ton feet in fifty minutes and swept through the town at forty miles an hour. About a thousand houses are damaged.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.