BIRTHDAY PICNIC ENDS TRAGICALLY WHEN TWO GIRLS DROWN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17757, 29 January 1926, Page 11

BIRTHDAY PICNIC ENDS TRAGICALLY WHEN TWO GIRLS DROWN.

P«r Press Association. LKETAHUNA, January 28. A double fatality occurred in the Makakahi River, about a mile and a half from Eketahuna, late this afternoon, the victims being two girls, Millie Dearl and Phyllis Waterreus, both ten years of age. A birthday picnic for the latter girl was being held on the river bank, and a number of children were playing in the river, when these two girls got out of their depth, also a 3‘ounger Waterreus girl. Ellen Duffy got the j'Oungest sister ashore, and Esme Duffy made a big attempt to rescue Phyllis Waterreus, who, however, lost her grip before gaining the shore. Both girls sank in a hole in the river and the bodies were washed under a papa ledge. The other girls then ran for assistance, and a b 03 T on horseback brought the news to town. Immediately several people motored to the scene. In the meantime a passing motorist had endeavoured to assist in the -rescue, but was not successful. On the arrival of others the bodies were recovered and attempts at resuscitation made, but as the bodies had been in the water nearly an hour this was given up as hopeless.