DEATH IN RAPIDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 12

DEATH IN RAPIDS

MAN'S VAIN STRUGGLE ONGOROTO FATALITY BOAT CAPSIZES ON lilVEIi SHOOTING PARTY ACCIDENT [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday A drowning accident occurred in the Waikato River at Ongoroto, four miles downstream from Atiamuri, yesterday when a small boat containing two men capsized. Tho victim was: — Mr. Cyril Hedge, aged 47, married, firewood dealer, Primrose Street, Frankton Junction. Deceased was a member of a party of six Waikato residents who left Hamilton at 4 a.m. yesterday for a day's shooting in tho Atiamuri district. The members of tho party were Messrs. Joseph Winstanley, of Frankton; J. H. Winstanley, of Whatawhata; Francis William Swetman, of Whatawhata; Walter Bernard Swetman, of Korokonui; John Terry Muller, of Frankton; and deceased. On their arrival at Ongoroto, Mr. Joseph Winstanley and his son, Mr. J. H. Winstanley, crossed the river in a 9ft. V-bottomed punt, and took with them a length of fencing wire which they paid out across tho river to servo as a help to the remainder of tho party. Two trips wore made, and Mr. Joseph Winstanley set out on the third trip, carrying Mr. Hedge as passenger. When tho boat was half-way across tho river, it was caught in the current and was swung to tho side. Water entered the boat over the stern, and the craft capsized, the occupants being thrown out. Mr. Winstanley struck out for the bank and reached it in an exhausted condition. Ho was pulled out by other members of the party. Mr. Hedge, who was unable to swim, was swept downstream in the swirling rapids. Ho was not seen again. A search was made yesterday and to-day for the body, but it has not been recovered. Mr. Hedge leaves a widow and nine children.