BATHING FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1980, 16 January 1907, Page 2

BATHING FATALITY.

DEATH OF MR. B. HIGGINS’ SON. A bathing fatality occurred in tlio AVaimata River last evening, one boy being drowned and another rescued in an exhausted state. The boy drowned was about nine years of age, named Graham Higgins, a son of tile well-known AVhataupoko resident, Mr. Braiilwood Higgins.

The sad affair occurred at six in the evening. Several boys had gone for a bathe on the AVhataupoko side of the river, opposite the residence of Mr. T. A. Coleman. There were said to have been five small boys altogether, but none of thorn could swim. ’ Mr. Albert Edwin Ansoll, a young man employed by Mr. J .G. Black, was working in the orchard, when lie heard screams, and running down to tho river, jumped into a boat, and pulled down the river to where he saw a hoy’s head in the water. Messrs. T. A. Coleman, son. and jun., also head the screams, and had run down to the river, and on tho boy being got into tho boat and brought to the bank, they immediately applied remedies to induce respiration. The boy saved was named Allan Marie Higgins. The brother, Graham, bad sunk, and was not seen again until the body was recovered about an hour later by Constable Irwin, all efforts at resuscitation failing. Dr. Cole was telephoned for, and promptly arrived, and commended the stops immediately taken in-the ease of the boy saved. Although not well enough last night to givo an account of the accident, the boy at an early hour was out of danger, and should be able to give some particulars to-day. The circumstances show that he made an effort to savo his brother, but being unable to swim Was soon in difficulties himself.

The site of tho fatality is nearly opposite Mr. T. A. Coleman’s house. Tile last flood washed a good portion of tlio shallowing bank away, so that it dips suddenly into deep water. The boys evidently were not aware of this, although it is said they had often bathed in the vicinity, believing that it was one of tlio safest places in tho river. A melancholy feature is that about twelve months ago two cousins of tho deceased, Mr. 11. Currie’s daughters, wore drowned in the same river higher up. . In that case one girl, who could swim, had lost her life in trying to save her sister. Deep sympathy will be felt for the parents of tbo drowned boy, who was a bright little fellow, and a general favorite. An inquest will lie held this morning at the residence of Mr. Higgins, AVhatuupoko.