FATAL YACHT TRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 26, 31 January 1921, Page 4

FATAL YACHT TRIP.

» ACCIDENT ON THE TAMAKI. OTAHUHU RESIDENT DROWNED. PARTY OF FIVE RESCUED. The week-end Dominion epidemic of accidents on the water included one at (rtahuhu, which had its sequel in the drowning of a tailor from that district I named Mr. Francis Edward Kevey, aged 37. Five other persons were submerged at the same time a_s was deceased, but they were all rescued. They were: Mr. S. Latter (Otahuhu), Mr. William Everitt (East Tamaki), Miss Myrtle Hill (Otahuhu), Miss Alma E. Short I New Plymoutn), and Miss Phyllis Short (Otahuhu). The party of six comprised the occupants of a 10ft sailing boat owned by Mr. Latter, that sailed out of Otahuhu shortly before 1. o'clock yesterday morn- ! ing on an expedition along the Tamaki River. A fresh south-west breeze was , blowing at the time, and wiien the craft ! reached Flat Rock it came off the land in i gusts, one of which capsized the boat, < throwing the occupants into the water, j Mr. Latter and Mr. Everitt immediately ' came to the assistance of the ladies, sup- j porting the three until n launch owned by .ur. J. Thomassen arrived. Into thi3 they were lifted to safety. Although able to swim, Mr. Kevey sank as the launch j approached, and failed to rise. The accident was reported to the Otaiiuhti police, and Sergeant Hodgson and Constable Moss recovered the body near the scene at about four o'clock. The. ■ place where the accident occurred seems | I liable to heavy gusts from the land. A j fatal accident occurred there five years ago, and there have also been several minor accidents. Mr. Kevey leaves a wife and two children. The Otahuhu police are endeavouring .ur. A. 11. Harris, of East Tamaki, for to make arrangements with the coroner, the holding of the inquest at the Otahuhu Courthouse this afternoon.