HAMILTON LAKE TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19558, 10 February 1927, Page 12

HAMILTON LAKE TRAGEDY.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS.

EVIDENCE BY SURVIVOR.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent. ] : HAMILTON, Wednesday.

The adjourned inquest into the circumstances of tlie deaths of Annie Kells, Ruby Harlow, and William Trevor Graham, the victims of tHo Hamilton Lake drowning tragedy on Sunday evening, was held to-day at Hamilton before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S-M., coroner. George Enoch Smith, the survivor of the party, gave evidence that he, in company with, Graham, Miss Kells, and Miss Harlow, hired a hjpafc at about 8.50 p.m Each member of the party took a turn at rowing. They took no refreshments in the boat with them. Immediately before the accident no one was rowing. Miss Kells and witness we both on the rower's seat, and Miss Kells* greater weight caused the boat to be lower in the water on her side. Graham and Miss Harlow were in the stern seat, and all were talking quietly. Witness said he suggested returning to shore, but he did not move. The next thing he knew was that the boat capsized, the gunwale on Miss Kells' side going under first.

When he came to the surface he called out for help and started to take his coat off. Ho thought he could see the three, others clinging to. the upturned boat. When he reached it be saw only Miss Kells and Graham, who sank at the same time. He did not see them again. It seemed about a quarter of an hour before help arrived. Ho had had quite a lot of boating experience. John Thrupp said he was driving a motor-car in the vicinity of the lake at 10.50 p.m. on Sunday, when he heard cries. He drove down to the landing, where he heard a man's voice calling out for help. He and another man went to the boatshed and rowed out to the spot, and Smith was taken on board. The vicinity was searched, but only a coat and sweater were found. Witness was engaged m dragging operations next dsv. bodies of Graham and Miss Harlow were found close togethef and about Kails' ne3rCr thc shcro than that Miss

Constable Neal said he used the same ooat during dragging operations, with -ireo men m it. it seemed quite sound. lna coroner boat was evidcntlv quue staunch, and he did not think h*e could place any restrictions on the use of boats on the lake. The boat certainly did not upset through people sitting still in it. t ropa the positions in which the bodies were found it seemed that Graham had done what he could to try and savo Miss Harlow.

from 0l " deat h bv misadventure from drowning was returned.