RIVER TRAGEDY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4803, 1 February 1936, Page 5

RIVER TRAGEDY

CHILD DROWNED. IN ONGARUE RIVER. A shocking tragedy occurred at Taringamotu at 3 p.m. yesterday when a little girl named Winnie Elliott, about four years of age, was drowned in the presence of her mother and a visitor. The accident happened at the Taringamotu traffic bridge, which crosses the Ongarue River, connecting the old highway with the new main highway and situated a short distance from the railway station. The deceased was the daughter of Mr. Jock Elliott who is employed as roadman on the Main Highway. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott lived at Taumarunui for sevdn or eight years and had only shifted to Taringamotu about a month ago to a new home near the bridge. Mrs. J. Rorison, of Taumarunui, was visiting Mrs. Elliott yesterday afternoon and when the tragedy occurred the two ladies with the children were strolling over the bridge. The deceased, it is stated, went to the side of- the bridge to show another child something floating in the water. In doing this deceased overbalanced through the wires and fell about 20 feet into the deep water. The mother who was only about a yard from the child saw her fall and, being able to swim, immediately dived into the water to rescue her daughter. After swimming about 50 yards the mother had almost reached the drowning child when she saw deceased disappear in a deep hole. The mother was then exhausted and got on to a ledge but could see no trace of the child. When the alarm was given Mr. S. Pickin, a neighbouring farmer, telephoned for the police and a doctor. Constables Bruce and O’Sullivan on their arrival investigated the river in. the vicinity of the accident and assistance was given by farm workers and mill hands from the Taringamotu sawmill. A number of young men dived into deep holes but up till late last night nothing had been seen of the body. The father of deceased was working on the main highway a few miles away, when the accident happened, and Mr. Frank Romayne, of Ohura, brought him home by car. Mr. Jock Rlliott is a returned soldier and is well known in Taumarunui. Mrs. Elliott was a prominent worker in the Presbyterian Church, Taumarunui, while she resided there. On hearing of the tragedy the Rev. M. J. Byrt and Mrs. Byrt motored to Taringamotu.