ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN THE OPIHI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 272, 22 July 1880, Page 2

ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN THE OPIHI.

An unfortunate tramp, an elderly man with a wife and iamily' in Christchurch, narrowly escaped meeting' with his death by drowning in the Opibi river about midday on Tuesday. Though warned of the force, of the current and the treacherous nature of the river, and advised to walk across the railway bridge, yet he attempted to ford the river, was swept off his Feet, and carried down stream. John Ceely, au old pensioner residing at Kerrytown, had endeavored to dissuile the poor swagger from attempting to ford the river, but finding him steadfast of purpose acc mpanied h : m to the river to sec how he got on. Well it was Ceely did so, or the poor (ramp would have been drowned as ho had not got far into the stream before ho was swept off his feet. Ceely attempted to assist him even at the risk of his own life. Going into the stream undl he nearly Lst his footing he decided to r btain the assistance of a horseman, and, rushing towards Suillauc’s Hotel, cried out “ a man drowning in the river.*’ Fred Hedge, tie well known steeplechase rider, an 1 James Reid, both of Timaru, who were mounted responded to the call for help, and Hedge with commendable pluck dashed down the bank and into the river in a dangerous part of it. Alter several futile attempts to grasp the man, Hedge at length succeeded in catch ng him bv the wrist. At this junclnre an nnforsecn circumstance occurred which nearly cost the men their lives The tramp’s swag foaled the logs of Hedge’s horse causmg him to sink. Reid, who was watching his companions plucky efforts, saw that bis assistance was required an 1 at once jumped his horse in the stream and succeeded in laying hold of the drowing man an i bringing him asle re. Hedge had been washed off bis horse, but managed to lay bold of its mane, the animal then swam to shore with his unseated rider. It w ; ll thus be seen that two lives were placed in great jeopardy simply through the absence of a much needed bridge.

How long is tliis state of things tocontinue The G> raiding County Council can alone make reply. The iiieuibers of the Gerel-line Eoad Board, in the generosity of heir lr ads, can see iu necessity for a bridge over this dangerous river. They do nut need it. Although there is scarcely a day without a vehicle pass.ng to or from Geraldine across the livei. Not only does this Board object to be rated,, hut it is good enough to dictate to, or attempt to coerce another body of men,, lest they should be weak enough to aid in the good work. If the Geialdine Board had made a proposition the case would have been different As it is, the urgercy of the work demand that the County Council must do.’itsduty, and cause the necessary steps for the erection of the bridge to be taken at once. We trust the malter will not be delayed until a valuable life, say that of a member ot the Geraldine Road Board,, is sacrificed.