NOT YET FOUND.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18463, 18 August 1925, Page 13

NOT YET FOUND.

* BODIES OF MRS WITHERS AND BOYS. UT.ESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) PALMERSTON X., August 17. Tho death liy drowning of Mrs C. H. Withers and hoi* two sons through the if car dropping into the Oroua River last, evening is tho ivorst tragedy of its kind iiT the history of the district. Nearing the bridge across the Oroua Rivor at liangiotu, tho road takes a turn towards the railway bridge to the left. The lights of the car showed the superstructure of tho railway bridge, and Mr Withers, apparently deceived, turned to tlio left instead of keeping ahead to cross the road bridge. Between the two bridges is a picket fencs guarding the approach to the river bank. It was this fence that the car crashed through, plunging to the river bed. As the car left the bank Withers remained at the wheel, his wife and two bovs being in the rear seats. Withers groped around under the water for his wife and boys, but unsuccessfully, and then, coming to tho sttrface, fought his way to the bank of tho river i? 0 feet below the been© of the fatality. Willing helpers wore soon on tho scene and assisted the distressed husband. Effort;-; at once wero made at reeue, but wera unsuccessful. The depth of water was from 12 to 14 feet. The car eventually was secured and fastened to the bank, but could not bo raised. This morning the car was raised from tho watci but tho bodies oi the victims were not inside. It is presumed they havo been washed out, or else the occupants fought their way out when the car fell into the river and wero washed downstream. A search is in progress.