BOY DROWNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23170, 17 October 1938, Page 10

BOY DROWNED

CAPSIZE OF DINGHY LAKE ROTORUA FATALITY / _ TWO COMPANIONS RESCUED [by telegraph—own correspondent] ROTORUA, Sunday A drowning accident occurred in Lake Rotorua shortly after three o'clock this afternoon, when a dinghy in which three boys were crossing the lake capsized. The victim was: — Denver Peter McAdam, aged 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. McAdam, of Seddon Street, Rotorua. The other two occupants of the dinghy, Roy Matthews, aged 17, an Murray Matthews, aged 11, were rescued. - When about 100 yards from the shore, the boys decided to change positions in the dinghy. They attempted to do so, but the boat overturned and all three were thrown into the water. Calling for help, they struck out for the shore. Their cries were heard by golfers playing on the near by Government links and two of the bovs were assisted from the water. McAdam, however, had disappeared. Mr. F. G. Clubb, Senior-Sergeant Carroll and Constable Quirke, together with a number of helpers, quickly organised a search for the missing- boy. A launch was chartered, but the choppy nature of the water made the rescue party's task difficult. Subsequently, Mr. S. J. Blackmore's aeroplane set out to fly over the lake in an etfort to locate the body. The search was continued until 7.30, but proved unsuccessful. It will be continued by the police to-morrow.