BATHING FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2733, 11 February 1910, Page 3

BATHING FATALITY.

YOUNG LAD DROWNED IN THE

WAIMATA RIVER

A sad drowning-fatality occurred _at Plains’ Bend, a favorite swimming place, on tlie Waimata- river yesterday afternoon, when a ludr' named Harold Gibbons, 13 years of age, lost His. life. AMittle after 2 p.m. yesterday, Sydney Hi no and Frank Ballantync met Gibbons, at the AVhataupoko bridge, and went to tho river for a swim. Wlie-n they got there, Gibbons, who was not a good swimmer, stated that he would not go in, but on the two former boys going in, he followed. They set out for the opposite side of the- river, and Ballantnye had reached tlip, opposite bank, JLine just being alittle way behind, when Gibbons called out that he was in difficulties. He was then in mid-.stream, but if lie had got a little further would have been out of deep water, as.there is a long sloping sandy incline at the point. The tide was making rapidly at tho time, but the lad Hine, although tired, went back to the assistance of the troubled swimmer, and managed' to get hold of him, •after he had sunk twice. He could not keep him up,-however, and just as another swimmer, from down the river, was about 20 yards away, the boy sank and failed to re-appear. Several other bathers quickly arrived, but none of them were good divers. The police were communicated with, and Constable Dwyer hastened to the spot, and. stripping, proceeded to- dive, but could not Snd the body. A boat was then procured, and dragging operations put in progress. Dragging was continued till about d p.m., when the body was found. It was removed to the morgue to await- an inquest. .Mr. P. McGonville. a member of'the Gisborne Bowing Club, was in the vicinity of the accident at the time, sculling. Tie made bis way to the spot, but as lie could be of no use in his boat ho took it to the bank, and then commenced diving for the body, without success.

deceased lad was an orphan, buthad two elder brothers working in the district. Ho was recently employed at Air. T. A. Crawford’s pharmacy, and was described ns a promising lad. An inquest will be held before- a J.P. this morning.