DROWNING TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 25 October 1934, Page 3

DROWNING TRAGEDY.

MAN FALLS FROM LAUNCH. COURAGEOUS EFFORT AT RESCUE Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Oct. 24. 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, and losing his footing 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 hei grasp and sank without reappearing. Mrs Gerlach then swam for the shore some considerable distance away, which she managed to reach in an exhausted condition. After a difficult journey of about a mile Mrs Geilach was able to reach Russell, where she received prompt attention from hei daughter and friends. A launch has been dispatched to search for Mr GerlaclTs body and to recover the boat, which is believed to be on the rocks. . , , , . Mr Gerlach is survived bv his wife and three daughters, Mrs S. Hansen, Mrs Lubbock and Miss Myrtle Gerlach.