MOTOR-LAUNCH SWAMPED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 14 March 1910, Page 8

MOTOR-LAUNCH SWAMPED.

THREE MEN DROWNED

[press association.]

GREYMOUTH, March 14. A distressing boating fatality occurred last night whereby three single men—William Winterburn (formerly of Christchurch), John Carley (of Hokitika, Ross) whose ages ranged from SO to 24—were drowned. They were crossing the Grey bar in a motorlaunch, and becoming alarmed at the high rollers turned round 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 two* others 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. A 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 is no sign of the bodies. A heavy northerly gale is blowing along the coast to-day.