THE WANGANUI FATALITY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 11 April 1910, Page 8

THE WANGANUI FATALITY

NO BODIES YET RECOVERED.

Tprksh association.} WANGANUI, April 11. Tho police and various parties have been engaged since daylight dragging the river for the bodies lost in yesterday's fatality : but, so far, none have been recovered, and it is thought that most, if not all, have boon washed out to . c ea.

Thero was an exceptionally strong outgoing current at the time of the accident. There was a strong wind blowing, and the river was choppy and rough, rendering passage across the river anything but a light task for the better class of craft, much less for a sixteen-foot flat-bottomed boat filled with people.

The fact that tho river was rough accounts- for the absence of other boats which on fine days dot the river on Sundays between the town and the Heads.

The accident occurred about midday between the town and the entrance, and it has always been looked upon as a difficult place to negotiate by small boats when the wind is blowing, as the wind and the current generally cause a jobblo.

There are np houses near on either side of the river, and the accident was only seen by one or two, including Mr Anderson, who had proyiously crossed the river and was standing on a sandhill watching the boating party. He saw the boat upset and his wife and family drowning, but was powerless to render assistance.

Most of the launches were engaged un the river, and could not be obtained till late in the evening. Consequently there was only the fisherman to render assistance.