BOY DROWNED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16360, 24 February 1921, Page 7

BOY DROWNED.

HEATHCOTE RIVER TRAGEDY. Ronald Yates, seven years of age, the only son of Mr and Airs H. E. Yates. Richardson Street, Woolston. was drowned in the Heathcote River yesterday afternoon. At about a quarter to five. Ronald A ates and another boy named Laurie Angus, were in a flat-bottomed boat in the vicinity of the Opawa railway bridge when by some means Yates fell off the back part of the boat into the river. There was a fairly full tide at the time and the channel was somewhat deep and dangerous. Laurie Angus could not swim, but lie made a gallant attempt to save his companion and jumped in after him. Angus was evidently dragged under but was fortunately noticed by Mr J. YV . Pedler, of 34, Sheldon Street, who was passing at the moment. Air Pedler dived into the river, which was running at a fairly rapid rate, and rescued Angus, but Ronald Yates win? not to be seen. Mr W. I>. Sullivan, brother oi Air D. G. Sullivan, M.P., soon afterwards came on the scene and he also rlived into the river several times with Air Pedler in an unsuccessful attempt to locate Y’ates. Subsequently other willing helpers arrived and the river was searched and dragged by means of ropes. The search was continued Ion" after dark, until twenty minutes past three this morning, when the body was found with the aid of a City Council searchlight.

An inquest will be held this afterSoon.