BODY RECOVERED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 6

BODY RECOVERED.

MOUNTAINEER'S FATE,

FURTHER LIGHT ON TRAGEDY.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day

The body of Mr. Maxwell Gcith Townsend, 'the well-known Canterbury mountaineer who was swept off his feet and drowned in the Rakaia River about 9 o'clock yesterday morning, was recovered at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon by the head shepherd of Lake Heron station, six miles downstream from where Mr. Townsend entered the river.

Further light has been thrown on the tragedy by reports which have reached Lake Heron station. About 16 men arrived at Lake Heron on Christmas Day, and immediately set out for Rakaia down the lake stream. About 13 miles were covered to Thompson's Hut, where the party spent the night.

The following day Mr. Townsend and Mr. W. B. Cullens set out to cross the Rakaia River without being first roped up. Both men fell and were swept away downstream. Mr. Cullens was fortunate in being washed up against a rock, and with assistance he was brought safely ashore. The current at this place was very swift and the river very dirty. As soon as Mr. 'fownsend was swept away by the water the other members of the party rushed along the bank trying to get near enough to help him. However, the current was so fast that they were outdistanced and lost sight of Mr. Townsend, who was encumbered by a heavy pack. ..