ACCIDENTS & DEATHS.
TWO MEN DROWNED.
KNOCKED OFF STAGING INTO RIVER.
(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 13
A double fatality occurred about 1.15 p.m. to-day at the Lowburn Ferry bridge works, near Cromwell, when two men fell off the staging of the temporary structure into the Clutha River and were drowned. The victims were: —
Mr Leslie Liddicoat, aged 26, a married man; and Mr Ronald McElhenny, aged 28, a married man.
In company with several others, the two men were working about 80 feet out on a staging at a height of some seven feet above the river. When the accident happened a large beam was being shifted by four men, the two drowned being on the farther end, when it fell, and the impact knocked them into the water. Both men could swim, and struck out for the bank, but when they were only a few feet from safety they both disappeared. Another workman, seeing a hat floating on the river, dived in in an endeavour to locate the missing men, but was unsuccessful, the current at that spot being fairly swift. Mr Liddicoat was a resident of Ripponvale, Cromwell, and Mr McElhenny of Oamaru. -Ashburton Guardian, 14/7/1937.
Drowning Fatality at Lowburn Ferry
TWO MEN DROWNED
BODIES NOT YET RECOVERED.
A shocking fatality occurred at 1.15p.m. on Tuesday last, at the construction works of the Lowburn Ferry bridge, when, with appalling suddenness, two young married men, Leslie Beaton Liddicoat, aged 28, and Ronald McElhenny, aged 28, were drowned in the Clutha river. Work had just been resumed after the midday meal and the two men, in conjunction with other workmates, were working about 80 feet out on the staging, at a height of some seven feet above the water. It appeared that a large beam was being shifted by four men, the two deceased being on the farther end, when it slipped and the impact knocked them into the water. Both men could swim and struck out for a point on the hank where a willow tree projected into the river, and they had almost reached this when the current, fairly strong at this part, swept them past the tree. Almost immediately after they disappeared, evidently being caught in an under-tow. One of the workmen, Mr D. Caskie, seeing a hat floating on the surface, dived in in an endeavour to locate the missing men but was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the river, which is usually very clear at this part, was discoloured by a recent thaw in the snow country, and this, combined with the swift current, further impeded the searchers. All work on the bridge immediately ceased and a search was instituted, this being kept up for several days but so far no trace of the bodies has been discovered. Mr Bistow, Inspector of Scaffolding, inspected the scene of the accident on Wednesday morning and we understand that, although authority was given for the work to proceed, work will not recommence until this morning.
The tragedy, involving the loss of the lives of two young men in the prime of life, cast a gloom over the whole community. The late Mr Leslie Liddicoat was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Liddicoat, highly respected settlers of Ripponvale. He had spent practically all his life in the district and was a fine type of young man, good living and well respected by all. Possessed of a bright, happy nature he was very popular with all who knew him. The late Mr Ronald McElhenny, who was foreman of the construction works, was a man highly thought of by his employer with whom he had been employed for the past ten years. He was a native of Oamaru and, sad to relate, had only been married some few weeks ago.
To the relatives who are left to mourn their loss the deepest feelings of regret and sympathy of the whole district are extended in their sad bereavement. -Cromwell Argus, 19/7/1937.
BODY IN MOLYNEUX
Just before going to press the Police were informed that the body of a man was floating down the Molyneux River above Clyde.
Later —The body went ashore near Mr P. Miller’s orchard and has been recovered. It is understood to be the body of Leslie Liddicoat, who was drowned at Lowburn on July 13th. -Dunstan Times, 9/8/1937.
Lowburn Drowning Fatality
ONE BODY RECOVERED.
INQUEST ADJOURNED.
Advice was received in Cromwell on Monday afternoon last to the effect that the body of one of the victims of the drowning fatality at Lowborn Ferry on July 13th, had been recovered from the Molyneux river at a point about two miles above Clyde.
Employees of the Public Works Department, engaged on the Clyde-Cromwell road, noticed a body floating down the river and the police were immediately informed, Constable Harris, of Clyde, being quickly on the scene. The body was floating in a backwater near the edge of the river and the Constable, assisted by Mr S. Stephens, had no difficulty in removing it from the water.
A formal inquest for identification purposes only was held at the Courthouse, Clyde, on Tuesday morning, when the body was identified and found to be that of the young man, Leslie Beaton Liddicoat. The inquest was adjourned until 2 p.m., on Wednesday, next, 18th inst, at the courthouse, Cromwell.
he last sad rites were carried out on Tuesday afternoon, when the funeral of the late Mr Leslie Beaton Liddicoat look place at 2.30 p.m., from his parents’ residence at Ripponvale. The large crowd which assembled to pay their final respects was a tribute to the esteem in which the deceased was held. The Rev. Renwick officiated at the graveside and members of the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, of which order the deceased was a very worthy member, acted as pallbearers. -Cromwell Argus, 16/8/1937.
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