BATHING FATALITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 November 1924, Page 4

BATHING FATALITY.

KAPONGA BOY’S TRAGIC END. DROWNED IN KAUPOKONUI RIVER. A distressful bathing fatality occurred at Kaponga in the Kaupokonui river shortly after 6 o’clock last evening, the victim being Edmond. John Albon, 14 yearn of age, son of Air and Airs F. Albon, of Kaponga. As no one witnessed the actual cause of the accident, its immediate origin is obscure, but it appears that whilst bathing alone at the entrance to the lower dam. used in connection with the electric power scheme the deceased lad got into difficulties, presumably as the result of cramp, and was. carried by the current into deep water; Though not an expert swimmer, he had previously bathed in the same place and, it is said, had swum the 30 yards of .deep water between the eastern bank and an islet in the dam. George Pascoe, a youth of 16 years, who had spoken to Edmond a few moments previously, had crossed in a small punt te the islet with the intention of fishing. His first intimation that anything was amiss was received when' he heard a sharp cry, following which he saw Edmond disappearing ' below the surface. He hastily propelled' the punt to the'vicinity of the spot, and pluckilv plunged in fully clothed, hut under water was unable ,to see any sign of the boy, and the light cast by the setting sun prevented him from seeing below the surface from above. . Realising he could do nothing, he ran for assistance, and within a few-moments , Constable J. O’Donoghue arrived on the. scene, to be followed by Mr L. Des Forges. Sunk in about eight feet of water some 12 yards from-, the spot where Pascoe had seen the:hoy disappear j Mr Des Forges found; the body, and conveyed' it to the bank, where Constable O’Donoghue and Air A. Melville applied- artificial - restorative methods until the arrival ‘of Dr. Hocken, who, however, after , further efforts could only pronounce life extinct. , ; - . A pupil of the State School, rthe .deceased was highly esteemed by the . teaching staff, and was very popular with his school fellows. The distressing occurrence has cast a gloom, over the township, and to the bereaved relatives the sincere sympathy of all', resi-. dpnts of the district will, be, extended. ■