SAO COACHING FATALITY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4326, 24 January 1893, Page 2

SAO COACHING FATALITY.

: A Popular Driver Drowned. , (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Keeftok, January 21. A fatal aooident happened to the Reefton-Westjiort mail coach to-day at Larry's Creek, whereby the driver (J. Herriott) and three horses were drowned. The coach left town with one passenger and the mails, but no one expected that it would be able to get through on account of tho rain last night. On arriving at the creek tbedriyer found the water lower than when he crossed last, night and determined to cross. The passenger refused, anil attempted to cross on a foot-bridge, he found, however, that the bridge on the further side over the worst of the ford was swept away, It appears tho coaoh went all right until this ford was reached, when tht horses seemed to be oarried off their feet, and the coach capsized, It is probable the depth of the water was increased by the scour after the bridge which protected it was swept away, flerriott was several times seto after the coach capsized, struggling bravely to get ashore. Once he almost succeeded in reaohing some sorub, but was again Bwept under and not seen again. The coach was completely wrecked, and the mails washed down the river, Search parties and the police are now out seeking for the driver's body and the. mails. The untimely end oi Herriott is deeply regretted, as he was a general favourito, The public feeling regarding tho want of a bridge over this -greek » wiy etvcngjint-.noifi