TRAGIC INCIDENT AT RUSSELL.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 163, 17 April 1872, Page 3

TRAGIC INCIDENT AT RUSSELL.

DROWNING OF MR CRAILE. A melancholy accident occurred in this neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, the 7th insf.-nt, bv which a young man named John Craile lost his life. It appears that the deceased, accompanied by his sister, Mrs Wilkinson, went out to the Pawhitl from Manawaora, where they resided, to bring in some working bullocks. In returning-, the cattle went round some rocks covered by the tide. It being nearly high water at the time, Craile followed them round, his horse having to swim in places. The horse tripped over the submerged trunk of a pohutukawa tree, and the deceased was thrown off the horse, which somehow getting his fore legs entangled with the reins, fell over on his rider, and struggling violently must have struck him, rendeiing him insensible, as Craile could swim well, and the distance was only about ten yards from the shore. He sank after a brief struggle, and rose no

more! The sister, who had gone over the point of land, and was waiting in the bay at the other side, saw the accident, and rushed to his assistance, but her long riding-habit prevented her from swimming. After nearly reaching him, she only saved herself by catching hold of an over-hanging limb of a pohutukawa tree. Again reaching the shore, she took off her clothes and again ventured out; but by this time it was too late, as he had disapppeared. Finding she could not save him, she returned home for assistance, and with some neighbours in a boat returned to the scene of the accident where the body was found (the tide having left it) about fifteen yards distance. His spur having caught in some kelp prevented the body from drifting further away. The corpse was brought to Russell the next day, where an inquest was held before a respectable jury, of which Mr H. Ileslop was foreman, and a verdict given in accordance with the evidence, of which I have given you a short version. The deceased was a young man of sober and industrious habits, and was much respected by those who knew him. Great praise is due to Mrs Wilkinson, for the brave efforts which, at the risk of her own life, she made to rescue her brother from his untimely end. —[Correspondent N. Z. Ilerald.