THE WHANGAPE FATALITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8862, 23 October 1907, Page 5

THE WHANGAPE FATALITY.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS., SURVIVORS PROGRESSING FAVOURABLY. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 22. " Details concerning the Whangape fatality show that the launch containing the twelve persons was capsized by a heavy breaker, which carried away part of the deck house, and precipitated all the occupants into the water. Another roller scattered, the unfortunate strugglers. When it passed on only five of them were able to get to the launch, which was floating keel up. These were Adamson, Wi Hare, Harold Wallace, York, and Bluntlell. They stripped. Wi Hare then sprang off the launch and made towards the northern shore, which he reached after a long swim. When Irving, who is a good swimmer, came to the surface after the launch had been capsized, he looked for the boy Popplewell, but was unable to see him. Then he started for the shore, followed by Te Paa and David Wallace. Irving and Te Paa reached the land, the latter being very much exhausted and having to be lifted on to the rocks by Irving and Wi Hare. Wallace was lost sight of. Those who had reached the land, being unable to find any trace of the other survivors, proceeded to the settlement. Allen states that on coming to the surface after the capsize he found that he could not get back to the launch, and he called to Wi Hare, who threw him a couple of boards, which he says were the means of keeping him afloat, as he was exhausted by hanging to the benzine case. With the exception of Te Paa, who is confined to his bed, all the survivors are progressing favourably. Blundell was picked up by a boat sent from the Whangape Ferry Station, two miles from the scene of the casualty. He was in a very exhausted condition.