LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 25 October 1934, Page 6

LAUNCH TRAGEDY

MAN DROWNED NEAR RUSSELL WIFE’S FUTILE EFFORTS TO SAVE HIM (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 2i. Slipping from the arms of his wife, who had dived overboard in an attempt at rescue, Charles Gerlach, a well known resident of Paroa Bay, was drowned this afternoon. Mr and Mrs Gerlach were returning to their home from Russell, in their auxiliary yacht. When off Temple Bar, Tapeka Point, Mr Gerlach went to the fore part of the boat to make some adjustments. Losing his footing he fell overboard. His wife, who witnessed the occurrence, at once stopped the engine and dived in to her husband’s assistance. She swam out to him and attempted to hold him up while calling loudly for help. However, her efforts were in vain, for her husband, who was already exhausted when she reached him, slipped from her grasp and sank without reappearing.

Mrs Gerlach swam for the shore, a considerable distance away, which she managed to reach in an exhausted condition. After a difficult journey of about a mile Mrs Gerlach was able to reach Russell where she received prompt attention from her daughter and friends.

A launch has been dispatched to search for Mr Gerlaeh’s body and to recover the boat, which is believed to be on the rocks. Mr Gerlach is survived by his wife and three daughters—Mrs S. Hansen, Mrs Lubbock and Miss Myrtle Gerlach.