Lachlan Russell Fraser, 1899-26/3/1921

DROWNING ACCIDENT

FATALITY AT A REGATTA. 

PLUCKY ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE. 

(From Our Own Correspondent. QUEENSTOWN. March 25. The regatta, which was being held to-day was brought to an abrupt termination at noon by a distressing drowning accident which occurred at the finish of the Maiden Fours, the victim being Lachlan Russell Fraser, aged 22 years. He was a member of the crew of the Invercargill Rowing Club, and was an employee of the National Mortgage, Invercargill. 

On arriving in fourth place close to the main wharf the Invercargill Rowing Club’s boat was swamped owing to the rough water. The crew, W. V. Laughbein, R. L. and J. Fraser, J. Hazeldine, and the coxswain (Alexander Mackenzie), thinking to improve matters, upturned the boat and lay over it. After a brief interval L. R. Fraser struck out for the wharf, which was only half a chain distant. J. Fraser also left the boat, but, noticing his brother in difficulties, went to his assistance. He was, however, unable to effect a rescue as the deceased sank almost immediately. 

In the meantime Mackenzie (the coxswain) slipped off the boat, and was endeavouring to support himself on a pair of crossed oars, but was rapidly becoming exhausted. J. Fraser seized hold of him. and a man named J. Roach, of Springfield, sprang from the wharf fully clad, and went to his assistance until a small boat came to the rescue.

Another man, Ian MacDonald, of Oamaru, also dived in from the wharf, and made a series of dives in an attempt to locate L. R. Fraser, but without avail. Dragging operations were immediately instituted, and the body was recovered at 2. p.m. 

A further tragedy was narrowly averted simultaneously half way up the bay; where the Oamaru Club’s boat was also swamped. The umpire’s launch and another launch which was following the race went quickly to the boat’s assistance, and took off the crew.

The sad occurrence cast a gloom over the whole proceedings.

RESCUE EFFORTS COMMENDED.

(Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, March 27. At the inquest on Lachlan Russell Fraser, aged 22, who was drowned as the result of the swamping of a boat at the Queenstown regatta, a verdict of accidental death was returned. The coroner commended the efforts at rescue by Messrs Roach and McDonald.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/3/1921.

Invercargill Cemetery.