THREE MEN DROWNED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 15 March 1910, Page 8

THREE MEN DROWNED.

DISTRESSING BOATING FATALITY

fj'REHB ASSOCIATION -1 GREYMOUTH, March 14. \. distressing boating fatality occurred last nignt, whereby three single men named William Winterburn (formerly of Christchurch), John Carley (of Hokitika), and John De Bakher (of Ross) were drowned. They were crossing the Grey bar in a motor launch, and, becoming alarmed at the high rollers, turned arourd to make port. In doing so one roller caught the vessel by the stern and placed her broadside on to the next breaker, which swamped the launch, which immediately sank. One man disappeared in an instant, whilst the other two clung to an oar. One shortly after let go, but the other clung to it; and drifted to sea, where he was seen for nearly three-quarters of an hour", but no assistance could be rendered. The tug took two hours to get up steam, and went out then, but could find no trace of the man, who had evidently been drowned. The motor launch was washed up on the beach, but there was no I sign of the bodies.