ROY DROWNED IN RIVER

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29271, 1 August 1960, Page 10

ROY DROWNED IN RIVER

Youth’s Rrave Rescue Attempt (New Zealand Press Association! WANGANUI, July 31. A boy was drowned this morning in the Wanganui river, when his kayak capsized. He was Wayne Rohloff, aged 16. of Ashton street, Wanganui. Rescue attempts by his companions and two eye-witnesses failed, and late tonight the boy’s body had hot been found. His two companions were Wayne Gollop. aged 16, of Fern Lodge, Wanganui, and Kevin George Purvis, aged 17. of 24 Somme parade. None of the boys was a strong swimmer and they wore no life jackets. In spite of this, the two boys made strenuous attempts to save their friend, but he was too heavy for them and they were forced to let him goAnother boy. Leonard Vine, aged 16, of 291 Victoria avenue, who saw the kayak capsize, was highly praised by onlookers for his valiant attempt to save the drowning boy. Vine, who is convalescent, dived fully clothed into the river, swam to the kayak and grasped the boy. But the strain was too much. Vine was pulled under and he was forced to release the other boy.

Vine had just enough strength left to swim to a floating log. to which he clung until he was rescued.