"A DISGRACE TO ENGLAND."

Evening Star, Issue 14626, 24 July 1911, Page 1

"A DISGRACE TO ENGLAND."

■Some strong comments were made nf Stalvbridgp (England) the other day in reference to the conduct of a voting man who was reported to have looked on whilst other.-, were trying to rescue William Atkinson. a.L-ed 13, from the canal. The hoy. although he could not swim, went to luthe in the canal with two other boys, and gettirig out of his depth went under the water. One of the other boys, Frederick Graham, went to his help, but Atkinson clung to him with both hands round his neck, and they both -.vent to tb« bottom. When they came up asain Graham still attempted to cet Atkinson to the side, but they went down for a second time, and Atkinson's hold relaxed and Graham got out. Atkinson did not coma up again."and William Evans, the engineer at the Clarence .Mill, who had run up and immediately dived into the water, at first could not find his body, which was not recovered for 20 minutes. Graham said that a yoirng man about 20 was sitting on the canal side close by, and he appealed to him for help in rescuing .Atkinson, but he refused, and said : " You get him out.*' He remained until Atkinson was pulled out hy Evans. William Evans said that the young man Eat. on the walj during the whole of"the time he was getting Atkinson's body out. He was a disgrace to Emrlajid. The Coroner warmly complimented Graham and Evans on their efforts, and said the young man was deserving of very treat censure. He was sorry he was not present, because they could net deal iritr him. He ought to have m-de an effort f< sire Atkinson whether he could swim ci not. .A verdict of " .Acrident-lly drowned whilst bathing" was returned.