THREE DROWNED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1943, Page 4

THREE DROWNED

DOMINION FATALITIES Three drowning fatalities occurred in the Dominion yesterday. Barbara Johnson, aged 8, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Johnson, of Huntly West, lost her life in the Waikato River at Huntly West. Shortly after eight o'clock yesterday morning the child walked on to a landing near Luhe's Quarry, where she slipped and fell into the river. Her sister, Valerie, aged 12, jumped in after her but was unable to reach her. The body has not yet been recovered.

Mr. John Swede, aged 63, of Te Uku, was drowned at Raglan. Mr. Swede, who lived in retirement with his daughter, Mrs. G. V. Banks, of Te Uku, set out at 4 p.m. to swim from Kopua Beach to Te Akau, half a mile away. He was a strong swimmer arid reached the other side safely. He did not go ashore and rest, but started to swim back. When he was past the main current, about half-way, he disappeared. His. body has not yet been recovered. A Press Association message from Dunedin states that Marius Hirt, aged 16, was drowned off Tomahawk Beach. The youth was wading back to the beach after a fishing expedition to a small island about a quarter of a mile offshore, when he was caught by the tide and washed out to sea. The body has not yet been recovered.