VICTIMS OF THE FLOOD

Evening Star, Issue 19763, 13 January 1928, Page 7

VICTIMS OF THE FLOOD

THE THAMES DISASTER YOUNG GIRL’S HEROISM. (British Official News.} Press Association—By Wireless —Copyright RUGBY, January 11. At the coroner’s court at Fulham today a remarkable story was told how Miss Madge Franckeiss, a girl of twenty, rescued her aunt and boy cousin from a basement flat which was flooded by the Thames last Friday night. An inquest was being held on her two girl cousins, whom she was unable to save, despite gallant efforts. It was related how Miss Franckeiss awoke to find her bedroom deep in water, and she aroused her relatives. She found her way of escape was by a window, and, getting out of it, she swam about in the area. Tho occupant of the flat above let down a sheet, and urged Miss Franckeiss to allow herself to be pulled up. She, however, declined, and dived back through the window at great risk into the flooded flat to find her relatives. She brought out her boy cousin, who was hauled up by the sheet, and then, swimming hack into the flat, she brought out her aunt (Mrs Watson), who, in an exhausted condition, was hauled up. Miss Franckeiss only gave up her attempts at rescue and consented to ho drawn up when she was unable to swim any longer. Her legs and feet were so badly cut that she was taken to hospital. Tho coroner congratulated Miss Franckeiss highly on her gallant conduct and superb heroism, and it was announced that a testimonial fund had been opened by the Mayor of Fulham. RELIEF FUNDS. MONEY AND CLOTHES POURING IN. LONDON, January 11. The extent to which the flood havoc has gripped the heart of the country is revealed in the spontaneous response to the appeals for the funds. The total has reached £28,000 in less than four days, which is beyond the beet expectations of the organisers, and contributions are still pouring in from the highest to the lowest. Clothing is arriving from all parts of England, and gifts of furniture of all kinds are pouring in. Big firms are sending regular supplies of food, and thousands of offers of accommodation foe homeless people have been received.