MOTHER'S SACRIFICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 70, 24 March 1931, Page 5

MOTHER'S SACRIFICE.

MANAWATU RIVER TRAGEDY.

SAVED GIRLS' .LIVES

RESCUE WORK BY YOUTH.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

FOXTON, this day,

Instances of heroism are recorded in connection with the launch tragedy on the Manawatir River on Sunday, when the lives were lost of five members of a blackberrying party who were spending the day upriver. Had it not been for the splendid work of an eighteen-year-old youth in the party, Manley Symes, at least three more lives would probably have been lost.

A noble act of self-sacrifice was performed by Mre. Henricksen, who, with her husband and young son, was drowned. Immediately after the accident all were struggling in the water

and although lifebelts were carried on the launch, in the confusion of the moment they all drifted away with the exception of one belt to which clung Mrs. Henricksen, her daughter Edna, and Connie Neville, the children being about nine years of age. Feeling that the belt would not support the three of them, the mother let go and pushed the two girls clear. In doing this she sacrificed her own life and was not seen again.