RIVER ACCIDENT

Evening Star, Issue 22347, 25 May 1936, Page 8

RIVER ACCIDENT

PANIC ON PADDLE LAUNCH NO LIVES LOST. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, May 25. (Received May 25, at 10.30 a.m.) There was a panic when the paddle launch Fairyland struck a submerged object during a heavy fog on the River Yarra last night. About 110 passengers, many of whom were youths and girls, fell or were thrown into the cold water after the launcli had been run ashore. Some of the passengers struggled in the water for about 10 minutes, but all either managed to scramble ashore or were rescued. A hole was torn in the bottom of the launch, and the water began to rise rapidly, and the pilot immediately ran the boat on to a saudspit near the shore. The passengers rushed to the shore side ! of the launch, and their weight forced the rail beneath the surface. The panic increased, and some climbed on to the frail roof, which collapsed. Roy Harding, a nephew of the pilot, rescued four girls who wore being carried downstream by the current. Several other youths also rescued girls from drowning.