BATHING TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 67

BATHING TRAGEDY.

TWO LABS DROWNED. RESCUE EFFORTS FAIL. HAMILTON, February 1. A double drowning tragedy occurred ajTe Aroha on Sunday, when two lads—* Frederick George Blackford, aged 15 years, and Sydney Mawson Clark, aged 12—lost; their lives in the Waihou River. The boyf were in the company of two adults, Messrs Blackford and Thomas Aickin, and had just commenced swimming when Clark, - who was not a good swimmer, got out of his depth and was seen to be m difficulties. Blackford, jun., immediately went to his assistance, but Clark grappled with him. and both boys disappeared. Messrs Aickin and Blackford made frantic efforts to save the boys. The latter, however, became exhausted, and had to return” to the bank. Mr Aickin. and the boys .then sank, but reappeared. The former unfortunately had lost his hold of the lads by this time, and they were carried, down the stream. Although on. the point of exhaustion, Mr Aickin again, went out, but the boys disappeared, lockedin each other’s arms, before he could reach) them,. and they did not rise again. Mr Aickin eventually reached the bank! in a state of collapse. The bodies of the two lads were recovered in the afternoon still locked together. At the inquest a verdict of accidental drowning was returned, the jury adding. a rider that a life saving apparatus should, be provided in the recognised bathing: pools along the river.