FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE PATEA RIVER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 4608, 24 March 1884, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE PATEA RIVER.

TWO LIVES LOST. [per pbess association.] A distressing occurrence happened on Saturday night, in the Patea River. Miss Gardner, stewardess of the s.s. Waverley, and two young men' (William Mitchison and Thomas Lawrence), were proceeding to the vessel, after witnessing Blondin's performance. The night was ' excessively dark, and whea the three were walking along the wharf, Lawrence, who was on the outside, walked off and caught hold of Miss Gardner to save himself. She, in her turn, caught Mitchi- ' son, and the three fell overboard. Mitchison endeavoured to save Miss Gardner, but was unable to do so. Mitchison managed to get out of the water very much' exhausted, and gave the alarm, A party at once proceeded to the spot and commenced dragging. After about half-au-hour's work the body of Lawrence was recovered ' close to where he fell in. Miss Gardner's body was found next morning about a quarter of -a mile down the river.

While the work of dragging was going on, a man named Quinn met with nearly a fatal accident. In the darknes3 he fell off the wharf, striking the woodwork, and was with great difficulty rescued.

An inquest was held to-day oa the bodies of Catherine Gardiner and Thomas Lawrence. A verdict of accidentally drowned was returned. A rider was added to the eii'eet that the railway authorities, who have control over the wharf, should provide lights at night, also life-buoys and grappling-irons, in case of an emergency arising.