TWO DROWNED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21437, 1 April 1935, Page 10

TWO DROWNED

TRAGEDY AT PICNIC IN NORTH AUCKLAND HEROIC RESCUE EFFORTS ASSOCIATIOK TELEG K/iM.I AUCKLAND, March 31. Within view of their wives, two men lost their lives by drowning in the Te Karaka gorge, about six miles north of Tangowahine, this morning. The victims were:— Reginald Owen Burrow, aged 51, a carrier, of Tangowahine. Tiiomas Henry Mooney, aged 66, a farmer, of Tangowahine. As was often their practice, the two men had gone for an outing to a picnicking spot in the gorge, taking with them their wives, a child of Burrow, and another girl. Shortly after their destination was reached, Burrow, who could swim slightly, went for a swim in a pool in the gorge. The other members of the party were sitting on the bank of the stream. Probably owing to the coldness of the water, Burrow found himself in difficulties. Mrs Burrow, who was about to have a bathe, saw her husband's plight and went to his assistance. Her rescue efforts were in vain, however, and it was only with difficulty that she herself was able to regain the bank. In a desperate final attempt to save Burrow, who was drowning, Mooney went to his assistance. It was a brave action, considering Mooney's age and the fact that he was unable to swim. Mooney waded into the pool, the floor of which consists of rock and pebbles, which are slippery in places. When he reached the spot where Burrow had previously been seen to sink below the surface, Mooney also disappeared. The depth of the pool in the deepest place was about eight feet. The two women immediately sought the aid of nearby settlers, and a party of Europeans and Maoris soon on the scene. Burrow's body was recovered about an hour later, and that of Mooney early in the afternoon. Burrow is survived by his wife and Tour children, and Mooney by his wife and two children.