ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 411, 21 January 1909, Page 9

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A FATAL PICNIC. :'■'"' TWO SISTERS DROWNED. '.''.". (DT TELEGRAFH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Oannevirke, January; 20. A.sad accident yesterday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of two daughters of Mr. Burke, butcher, occurred at Piratu, about four miles from Dannevirke. A picnic was being, held at the looality, when some children, went into, the river to-bathe.';. Nancy Burke, aged eight, got out of her depth, and Florence Burke,-her sister, -aged 15; while endeavouring to effect a rescue, was also carried away by the current, and both were drowned. Another sister, Dora, was rescued by .Mrs. Peterson, who herself was nearly carried away by the. heavy current. One-body was recovered last night, and;the remaining one'this'morning. .. "■ SUDDEN DEATH.. Christchurcll, January 20. . Mr. George H. Wright, pilot, at.Kairaka, near Kafapoi, died suddenly at seven,o'clock this morning. The deceased slipped on a plank three days ago and slightly injured himself. He was then attended by. Dr. < Crawshaw, who is prepared to, give a, coftificate of death. CHILD FALLS DOWN A WELL.' (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) • . .;'•■"'.•' Christohurch, January 20. j A: five-year-old boy had a miraculous es 7 cape from death during the recent holidays. -The child had been taken to stay with some relatives in the-Malvern district, and a fewminutes after his arrival ho fell down a well 60ft. deep. When discovered he' was standing on'the bottom quite unconcerned with the water reaching nearly'up to his neck. There were .several cross bars supporting the sides, of.the well at different levels, while at.the bottom there was a force pump worked by a windmill on the surf ace. 'In his sensational descont the child missed all these, obstacles; and .when he waa : ftscued after' staying in the,water for.twenty minutes it.was found that; the only.: injury ho had. sustained wasa .'slight scratch on ; liis back, and a button was 1 .missing .froin his'clothing. ;.;y /■ ' A- MAN;- DROWNED.' ,"'.': (BY TELEORAPH—rRESS ASSOCIATION.) . "::';' .Nelson, January 20. A .very, old resident■■: of Mariua,' William. Walsh, was drowned at. Caslani's Ford, MidMariua, yesterday, being washed;'-from 'his horse while' attempting to cross after leaving Murchison.' The body has not been recovered. Walsh was closely, identified with-the early mining days',of Duller, and was. a .partner 'in the first, spoon dredge at. Fern Flat. His qge.was. TO.years.,, ■. .\;V;, ; ; ;.;; :;f\ ; ,v •;,:' ;r ~;!. ':■'•'.:/!■ V 5 ;-'--. '■'■:'■'/■. .-! Dunedin, January 20..' [A toy .-named Alston, aged-4 years, who sustained serious injury on ''December 31 through"falling into a tub,of boiling,water,, died m,;the hospital this morning. ■ i : CROSSINa BEHINDy A ■TRAMCAR. ".'..- I The danger ■ attaching to < the fpractice of ; dashing-across the road from behind'.a tram- ' ;car- was in. evidence .again yesterday after- ■ rioonj'whon a boy named Wm.';.Welsh,'rcsid- '■ ing-- in- Abel Smith' Street, rail across from \ behind-a;/car.and;.was knockedidown by'a '•■ 'cab:-.at:vthe.;-c6,fiier-- of Mercer Street ;.:and I , s'Btreet;!;JS'The ; lad's' -right Meg-;);was: the ', knee,;, but. no '.'.bones-' ' ,'6uslyJenqugh ;tb'- : h'ecessitate his;removal to I '.the;.hospital.; -He.'was attended/to by Dr. , .Pollen..and sent-.to, his; home.-.•'■'-;-'.•