Betrothed Couple Swam To Wedding
(NX. Press Association—Copyright)
PERTH, July 22 A young couple swam and waded across two flooded rivers in a ninehours 140-miles trip to reach a church in Geraldton, 313 miles north of Perth, in time for their wedding during the week-end. Miss Betsy Smythe; her fiance, David Tapley,, of Geraldton; and Miss Smythe's sister, Mrs Rosalie Ferreo; had been marooned for nine days at Billabalong Station, 292 miles north of Perth. The trio set off in a truck but had to wade 200 yards across the flood-swollen Murchison river.
They were given a lift to the Greenough river where a taxi waited for them on the other side. Mr Tapley half swam, half waded through the racing river and got a lifeline across. He fastened it to the bumper bar of the taxi and the two women made their way across, clinging to the rope. The three finally reached Geraldton nine hours after setting out. They were just in time to make a belated appearance at a kitchen tea in honour of the bride-to-be. Miss Smythe and Mr Tapley were later married.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 15
Word Count
186Betrothed Couple Swam To Wedding Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 15
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