YOUNG MAN DROWNED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27275, 29 December 1949, Page 6

YOUNG MAN DROWNED

MOUNTAINEERING TRAGEDY ATTEMPT TO CROSS SWOLLEN RIVER PA GREYMOUTH, Dec. 28. Swept away from the grip of his four companions as they were attempting to cross the flooded Taramakau River, in the mountains near Otira, yesterday, John Keenan, aged 20, single, a Ministry of Works draughtsman at Christchurch, was drowned. After heavy rains during the weekend, the river was greatly swollen, and the party of five Canterbury mountaineers attempted the crossing with arms and ice axes linked. The river here was about 3 feet deep, and when part of the way across Keenan was swept off his feet and carried down about 100 yards, where he was held by a snag in the river. His companions attempted to reach him with a rope, and got within 10 feet, when Keenan disappeared. After an unsuccessful search, the other members of the party made their way out of the mountains, and reached Otira last evening. Keenan’s companions were Martin Barribald (of Spreydon), Donald Hayward, Stanley Johnstone and Malcolm Stewart (all of Sumner). Under the direction of Constable P. Larmer, of Otira. a party of experienced mountaineers, who were camped in the Arthur’s Pass region, are searching for the body today. The weather has improved, but the rivers are still swollen.