BODIES RECOVERED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23101, 28 July 1938, Page 12

BODIES RECOVERED

DIVER SUCCESSFUL TASK OF HELPERS MANY WILLING WORKERS RAISING THE VEHICLE TO-DAY Handicapped in the banning by improvised and inadequate equipment, desperate efforts wore made by resellers to remove Mrs. Uwson and lior three cliildreii from the sunken ear. J-hc first detachment of four constables was incased to over 20 helpers by midnight, when it was decided that only the assistance of a diver eould release tlic occupants of the vehicle. When the first organised rescue attempt was made b.v the- caretaker of the IJ oval Akarana Yacht Club, Mr. I' 11. .Marshall, in a dinghy, he was assisted by three members of the St. J George's flowing Club, Messrs. I'.. Piggin, W. Ryan and C. Milliard. They clambered down the breakwater to join |,in, i„ ),is efforts. They made the attempts to hook the car with grappling irons but found it an almost impossible task until the arrival of the Auckland Harbour Hoard's launch Fcrro. Man Reaches Car Difficulty was ex|>eriencod in obtaining sufficient heavy lines to attempt the raising of the car and repeatedly the lines that were dropped fouled the rookv bottom. After several hours of unsuccessful work. Mr. I'iggin plunged into the water from the Fcrro and succeeded in fastening a hook to the front of the vehicle which, as the result of the falling tide, was only about .'lft. below the surface. A dozen or more men were enlisted on the breakwater to haul on the ropes ill an attempt to raise the car sufficiently from the sea bed to enable the occupants to be freed. However, their efforts were unsuccessful and, even when a heavy block and tackle was used, no headway was made. Success of Diver Shortly after midnight it was realised that the aid of a diver must be enlisted. "Arrangements were immediately made with the Auckland Harbour Board and the diver, his punt and equipment arrived at the breakwater at 12..'J0 this morning. >"o difficulty was experienced by the diver in removing the bodies, and the work was completed 10 minutes after he Had been lowered.

No further attempt was made to raise the car, and it was expected that this work would be undertaken later to-day.