DREADFUL TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20084, 23 October 1928, Page 12

DREADFUL TRAGEDY.

LOSS OF FIVE LIVES.

MOTHER AND CHILDREN.

HUSBAND'S TERRIBLE ORDEAL

CAR PLUNGES INTO RIVER

[FROM OUU OWN COR IIESI'ON DENT. ] SYDNEY. Oct, JS. It was a dreadful tragedy, one of tho worst concoivable, that resulted in tho death of the wife of the Rev. J. Benson and his four children, when Mr. Benson drove I)is motor-car into the Clyde River, at Batcman's Bay, on the south coast of New South Wales. It is difficult to describe tho terrible ordeal of Mr. Benson as he rose to the surface realising that bis loved ones were drowning in tho icy-cold waters of the river. 11 is attempts to rescuo them were in vain, and thoroughly grief-stricken he had to abandon his family and report the tragedy to a near-by resident, Tho tragedy occurred at a punt crossing, of which there are so many in New South Wales. These punts, of course, take the place of a bridge, and the absence of any protection at the'punt staging has often been commented upon. Tho latest tragedy is tho third of its kind that has occurred this year. Steps art* being taken to provide protection at night and at some of (ho punts a railing has been installed. In tho centre of tho railing there is a largo red disc which should light up at night and act as an effective warning to the drivers of cars. Children Asleep in the Car. At the punt staging whero the Benson family were drowned there was a red light. At this vicinity, however, road repair work was in progress and there were many rod lights on the road leading to tho river crossing. Mr. Benson, therefore, was not aware that he was approaching tho river, and running down the ramp leading to the punt—the punt at tho time was on tho other sido of tho river—tho car crashed into the river. The family woro returning from a camping expedition, and in order to reach homo tho following day were travelling through tlio night, All the children were sleeping in tho rear portion of the car, and tho sido curtains had been placed in position to protect them from the night air. When the car entered the river Mr. Benson succeeded in wrenching open the side door at.d ho escaped. lie made strenuous endeavours to release Mrs. Benson, but owing to tho foreo of the tide the car overturned, trapping the occupants, Mr. Benson's Heroic Efforts. Mr. Benson at once rose to the surface, hut shortly afterwards, realising the dreadful predicament of his family, dived again. lio kept up nri hemic attempt to reach his family trapped beneath the icy waters until his strength was almost exhausted, and then, realising that his single-handed efforts were in vain, ho struggled to the shore. He was by then feeling tho effects of his terrifying experience, and as the realisation came upon him that the whole of his family was lost ho was overcome and it was Some time before ho could make his way for assistance. Assistance was at once forthcoming, but it was somo considerable• time before the car could be located. Several men dived into tho water, but they could not reach any of tha bodies, ft. was then decided to wait until daylight. Dragging opeiations later in the day resulted in the recovery of three of the bodies, but those of Mrs'. Benson and the baby have not yet been found.