FOXTON HEADS FATALITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3356, 24 October 1911, Page 9

FOXTON HEADS FATALITY.

HOW THE MISHAP HAPPENED.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

(Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., Oct, 22

Further -particulars of the -boating catastrophe at jEoxton Heads show’ that the .following were drowned: —Agnes Isabella Grove, wife of Mr Eugene Groves, motor expert at Dund .and Pringles, aged 24 years; Ilex Eugene Groves, aged 6_years; John Hardy Groves, 3 years; Eanny Robert, wife of Percy Robert, uniform and regalia manufacturer; Leslie Robert, aged 8; Florence Arnold, aged 24, late of Elthani of Messrs C. and M. Ross; and Grace O’Sullivan, aged 22, daughter of Major O’Sullivan, director of the equipment stores of the Defence Department, 'Wellington. The party had aranged for a motor launch picnic. The morning broke windy. There was a fresh in the- river, against which the wind raised considerable sea. ■ It was decided that it was too rough for the ladies and children, but the men went for a cruise. About fl they came back, and then it was decided to take the rest on board. While tb-o launch held off shore in the tide way, with Chris Robert, eldest son of Percy Robert, and C'am Turner aboard, Mr Robert and! Mr Grove proceeded 1 to bring the women and children on board in a small flat-bottomed dinghy. The rowers had three chains to cover to the launch, -but did not allow sufficiently for the rush of the tide consequent on the fresh in the river sweeping towards the heads. Consequently they missed l the launch and wore swept down with the tide, and out into the rougher water. In their effort to recover the boat, it was swamped and all the occupants were thrown into the water. Not many persons witnessed the accident, but Messrs Young and Langley, who saw the heavily-laden boat go out, were apprehensive- of danger, and launched another boat, and while pulling out they saw the tragedy. They only succeeded in saving Mr Robert;, sear. Meanwhile Messrs Mounsey and Torstonson went out in another’ boat, and the result was the rescue of Mr Grove. Five bodies, those of Mrs Grove, Mrs Robert, Miss- Arnold, and the two children Grove wore recovered, hut restorative measures proved futile. Messrs Groves and Robert were both exhausted when rescued. An inquest is being held to-dav.

INQUEST ON VICTIMS.

HEARTRENDING DETAILS

PALMERSTON N.. Oct. 23

The inquest on the five bodies recovered after the Foxtoir tragedy on Sunda v was held at Fox ton Reach yesterday, before Mr. Fraser, Coroner, SubInspector Norwood representing the police. Fonna.l evidence was given as to the identification of the bodies- Evidence was given by G. Langley, board-inghouse-keeper, who said he saw Percy Robert and Eugene Grove with Mrs. Grove and two children, Mrs. Robert and two eons, Miss Arnold and Miss O’Sullivan set out in an 18ft flatbottomed beat to get to the launch, which was at anchor about a hundred yards off, two youths. Crispar. us Robert and Campbell Turner being on board the launch- waiting for the rest of the party. The oars were email and the rowlocks too large. There was only a. few inches of freeboard and it was blowing freshly and with a fresh running out of the river. Air. Robert was rowing, and the oars clipped from the rowlooks, Mr. Grove recovering them. They missed the- launch, and were carried towards the Heads. One of the ladies became excited at the situation. Mr. Groves took Mr. Roberts’ place at the oars, and the water began to come over the side. When the .ladies leant to the other side, Mr. Roberts steed up, and waved his bands for assistance, at the same time crying to the launch for help,* and Mrs. Roberts also crying for help. The boat then went over; Captain Mounsey, N. Kirk and others ashore saw the peril and rain to launch a boat. W. Young and Langley reaching it first, put off before the- boat capsized, Captain Mounse and X Kirk procuring another boat and breaking into a shed for cars. with, which they also went out. While Langley’s boat was rowing Mr. Roberts’ boat went down. They found Mr. Robert insensible on the bottom on the boat, and being unable to get the heavy man into their frail craft they pulled him over to the other shore, and with difficulty restored him to consciousness. As the boat went over Mr. Grove seized Miss Arnold, but was separated from her in rought water, and swam to Hie launch, being pulled on board and assisting the boys to go to the rescue. Cris Robert sprang overboard to- help 'his mother and readied her, hut not being strong enough was unable- to hold her up, and was with difficulty get back to the launch, which recovered Miss Arnold’s body. Captain Mounsey and Mr. Kirk in the meantime recovered Mrs Robert, Mrs. Grove, and one- Grove- boy, all floating face down in the water. As Mr Grove was helping to lift- the bodies on- board the launch from Mounsey’s boat, Jig suddenly recognised that the body he- was handling was that of his wife, and cried “Oh, God, my wife,” and became insensible. He is now completely broken down, and his evidence was taken in bed, as was that of Cris Robert. Mr. Robert, senr-, was too ill for his evidence to be taken, and is in a- serious conditiciin. After lie- was brought to subsequent- to his rescue, the rescuers were compelled to tell him his wife and children were safe to pacify him.

The Coroner found the- following verdict: “That the deceased eaane tint their death by drowning in the Man-awatu River oin October 22-nd, 1911, accidentally and by misadventure.” The Coroner added a rider that he- was of opinion that more care should be exercised in; regulating the number of passengers to be carried in- rowing boats. The five- bodies were brought up from Foxton- to-night by road, the coffins having been sent down- during the day. Til© funerals of four will be held here on Wednesday. The body of Miss Arnold goes to Nelson to-morrow, and that of Miss Grace O’Sullivan, of Wellington, and Leslie Robert, aged 18. and Douglas Robert, aged o, have n-ot been recovered. The search is being continued, but the bodies may he swept to sea.