TWO PERSONS DROWNED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21941, 16 November 1936, Page 13

TWO PERSONS DROWNED

THROWN INTO RIVER WHEN HORSE SLIPPED

BOTH BODIES RECOVERED BY SEARCHERS

[TI|E PRESS Special Service.! GBEYMOUTH. November 15. When the horse on which they were riding slipped into a branch of the Grey river near the Kaiata golf course this afternoon, James Arthur Jacobs, aged ,22, and Richie Jacobs, aged nine, were drowned. About 1.30 p.m. the two brothers left their home, which is about half a mile from the scene of the accident, on the one horse, which was towing an empty sledge. On arriving at the branch of the river they crossed at a ford, went on to an island, and th<!n rode along the water’s edge. About 100 yards from the ford the horse slipped and the bank broke away. The brothers were thrown into the stream, which usually has little water in it, but had been swollen by a fresh in the river. The elder brother sank immediately and was not seen again, but the boy floated about half-way across the stream before disappearing. Keith and Morrie Jacobs, both aged about 12 years, who had been riding further inland, saw the accident and went home and told their father. Dr. W. A- Bird and Constable D. N. MacDonald arrived about 2 p.m., and a boat was brought out from Greymouth. Dragging was begun, and the first body, found at 3.15 p.m„ was that of the elder brother. Dr. Bird and Constable Mac Donald attempted resuscitation without success. The second body was found at 5 o’clock. Both were discovered in the middle of the stream, about 12 yards apart and in about eight feet of water. The horse reached the shore and the sledge was recovered during the dragging operations. An inquest will be held, probably to-morrpw.