ROBBED OF WHOLE FAMILY

Evening Star, Issue 23021, 28 July 1938, Page 12

ROBBED OF WHOLE FAMILY

FATHER'S DREADFUL FATE THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR TRAGEDY [Per United Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, July 28. Shortly after midnight a diver, within 10 minutes after being lowered, removed the bodies of the Lawson family, drowned in the harbour, when a car driven by the father, Harold James Lawson (35), a compositor, plunged into the sea from Campbell’s Point. The dead are: Mrs Vera Lawson (34), Joan Lawson (14), Peter Lawson (10), Gladys Lawson (7). The tragic story of the circumstances of the accident was told by the father of the family to his brother, James Richard Lawson. The family had gone to visit friends in Parnell, but finding them out for the evening decided, at the boy Peter’s request, to go down to the waterfront to watch the shipping. Harold Lawson drove to the Yacht Club house, and as he went on round the building, believing that the road continued all the way, his attention was distracted by his son’s remark; " Look at that boat with all the lights, daddy!” The next thing Lawson knew wa? that the car was in the water. He managed to escape through the window! The car, which was still partly full of air, ■ remained suspended for a while, and he tried to drag one of his family out, but the vehicle settled on the bottom, and he lost his grip.

At the opening of the inquest before the coroner, Mr F. K. Hunt. James Lawson said his brother was devoted to his wife and family. He was in good financial circumstances, but _ for the past month had been suffering from nervous strain owing to pressure of work. He had been driving for about 18 months, and was considered a good driver and very careful. His eyesight was good. The inquest was adjourned'. Lawson is still suffering from shock, but his condition to-day is more satisfactory. The police are now working to recover the car.

(Details of the accident are given on page 21.)