Teacher Died After Bid To Save Boy

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31234, 5 December 1966, Page 18

Teacher Died After Bid To Save Boy

(New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, December 4. A pleasure trip on the Wanganui river for a large party of Wanganui people ended in a double tragedy late yesterday afternoon.

A seven-year-old boy, who fell overboard, is presumed drowned and a 41-year-old schoolmaster, who went to the boy’s rescue, died a short time later in the Wanganui hospital.

The boy was James Geoffrey Mills, a son of Mr and Mrs E. 0. Mills, of 33 Polson street, Castlecliff, Wanganui. The teacher was Thomas Shafto Hooker, of 20 Karewa street, Castlecliff, Wanganui, a master at the Castlecliff Primary School. The party mainly comprised pupils of the Castlecliff School and their parents, who had travelled on the

pleasure craft Ongaru to Hipango Park, about 14 miles up the river. Mr Hooker had organised the trip. Returning to Wanganui about 5.30 p.m., the boat was in mid-stream preparing to swing towards its moorings when the boy disappeared over the side. Mr Hooker immediately dived to his rescue. Meanwhile, the boat had been turned and brought alongside those in the water.

Apparently two other men —one, Mr A. Watson —also jumped in to assist rescue operations and a lifebuoy was thrown into the water. Police said they thought the boy and Mr Hooker were dragged under the boat The motors were stopped. Master Picked Up The boy disappeared from view but Mr Hooker was grabbed by the other rescuers and - assisted on board the launch. He was in a collapsed state and a woman passenger immediately applied artificial resuscitation. The boat then headed for the wharf. As it was low tide, the boat ran aground on the mudbank. Mr Hooker was then assisted ashore to a waiting ambulance. Artificial resuscitation was continued until he reached the hospital. In spite of emergency treatment, he died about 6.55 p.m.

Police were keeping a watch on the river last night for the missing boy. It is proposed to start dragging operations today. Mr Hooker is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.