ANOTHER VICTIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 5, 7 January 1938, Page 9

ANOTHER VICTIM.

UAWA RIVER DROWNING.

SECOXD SINCE CHRISTMAS. (From Our Correspondent.) GISBORNE, Thursday. The Uawa River, Tolaga Bay, claimed its second victim since Christmas at mid-day to-day, when a Maori boy, Hati Nukunuku, aged nine, fell from the old Uawa River bridge and was drowned. Together with a young brother, the hoy went to the bridge to fish and evidently lost his balance and fell into the water. For a short time he was able to cling to one of the piles, but the force of the current running out proved too much of a tax on his strength, and he was compelled to release his grip. Seeing Nukunuku's plight, another Maori, Tommy Korau, aged 14, who was crossing the bridge, hurriedly took off his boots and dived in. As soon as he neared the boy in difficulties Koran felt him get a grip on his throat and entwine his legs about him. The two went under twice before Korau was able to get free, and as he was then so exhausted and Nukunuku was further down the river, Korau decided to make his way to the bank.

The struggle that the two boys were having in the middle of the river was noticed by men working on the new bridge, but as they were on the "Hauiti side"of the structure and none was a good swimmer, they could be of little assistance.