DROWNING ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 29

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

A sad accident occurred in the Manawatu river on Monday morning, by which a young man named George William Richardson, eldest son of Mr George Richardson, tailor, a respected resident of Palmerston North, lost his life. The deceased, in company with his brother Peter and Mr Ernest Little, attempted to cross the river at Lancaster’s Ford. Shortly after entering the river the horses commenced swimming and Ernest Little and Peter. Riohardson were washed off their horses. Both immediately struck out for the shore, which they reached in a most exhausted condition. While in the water they glanced back and noticed that G. Richardson was holding on to his horse, which was swimming the river, and that he was apparently not in difficulties. Immediately Little and Peter Richardson got to the other side of the river the, latter called out that his brother was missing. Such proved to be the case, for, although the horse was still swimming to■yvarda the river bank, the deceased had disappeared. : 5 1 ' . . deceased was an excellent swimmer, but he was carrying a gun in his hand at the time, and aIBO-had a canvas bag containing game pn his back, which probably hampered his movements. The water was also extremely cold, and deceased may have been seized with cramp. The deceased was about 23 years of age, and was very highly respected. He was a prominent member of the Palmerston Fire Brigade. .The deceased was also a Past Arch in the Ovcua Lodge of I raids. His life was injured in the A.M.P. for .&IUO. Mr Little had a narrow escape after being washed off liis horse. On two occasions while in the water ho attempted to hang on to snags, but was unsuccessful, and just managed to struggle ashore.