GALE AND TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 11

GALE AND TRAGEDY

LOSS OF THREE LIVES. woman SWEPT FROM SON’S ARMS. The <rale which brought big snowfalls to the of New South Wales recently, torrential rainfalls to the eastern areas, and lashed the coast with such fury that ships were driven to shelter, was responible for three deaths. When the storm burst over Kiaraa district, a motor-lorry in which Mrs. T. Tidswell, of Mosman, was a passenger, stalled while crossing Rutledge Creek. Her son, Squire, attempted to carry her to the bank, but he stumbled and fell, and Mrs. Tidswell was swept away and drowned. The lorry was found over a mile away in the Minnamurra River, and the body was recovered a quartermile farther downstream. Found dead in a tent at Argalong, near Tumut, two Greek brothers, Arthur and Constantine Lagos, apparently died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a charcoal brazier which was m the tent because of the cold. It was snowing and the tent was closed. When his engine stalled while crossing a creek, Mr. J. Fields managed to struggle to the bank, but his ear was swept away. With icy cold waters of the swollen Wollondilly River swirling around him, Wally Rudd, aged 21, of Goulburn, risked his life to save his horse. He held the reins while shoulder deep in water for over 15 minutes until help arrived. Mr. Rudd and two other men were drawin" wood and at Baw Baw crossing found the banks frozen and the river in flood. Attempting to cross the bridge the cart was overturned. The three men managed to struggle ashore. Mr Rudd, the only swimmer, then swam back to the horse, and in bitterly cold waters, with constant danger of being swept to death, held its nose above water until a motorist arrived, and the horse was hauled out with a tow rope.