GALE AND TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 12

GALE AND TRAGEDY.

LOSS OF THREE LIVES. WOMAN SWEPT FROM SON'S ARMS The gale which brought big snowfalls to the highlands of New South Wales recently, torrential rainfalls to the eastern areas, and lashed the coast with such fuiy that ships were driven to shelter, was responsible for three deaths. When the storm burst, over Kiama district, a motor-lorrv in which Mrs. T. Tidswell, of v»is 3 stalled while crossing Eutledge Creek. Her son, Squire, attempted to carry her to the bank, but he stumbled and fell, and Mrs. Tidswell was swept away and drowned. The lorry was found over a mile away in the Minnamurra River, and the body was recovered a quarter-mile farther downstream. Found dead in a tent at. Argalong, near Tumut, two Greek brothers, Arthur and Constantino Lagos, apparently died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a charcoal brazier which was in the tent because of the cold. It was snowing and the tout was closed. When his engine stalled while crossing a creek, Mr. Fields managed to struggle to the bank, but Ins car was swept away. With icv cold waters of the swollen Wollondillv River swirling around 'him, Wallv Rudd, aged 21, of Goulburn, risked his'life to save his horse. He held the reins while shoulder deep in water for over 15 minutes until help arrived. Mr. Rudd and two other men were drawing wood and at Raw Baw ciossing found the banks frozen and the river in Hood Attempting to cross the bridge the cart, was overturned. The three men managed to struggle ashore. Mr. Rudd, the onlv swimmer, then swam back to the horse, and in bitterly cold waters, with constant danger of being swept to death, held its nose above water until a motorist arrived, and the horse was hauled out with a tow lope.