SHOCKING ICE ACCIDENT

An inquest was held at Ulverston on Saturday morning on the bodies of William John Boundy, painter, aged 18; Henry Tyson, grocer’s assistant, aged 19; and Margaret Crewdson, dressmaker, aged 16, who were drowned whilst skating on the Ulverston Canal on the previous night. From the evidence adduced it appeared that for some days past the canal had been frozen over, but it was well known that the ice in certain part was not in a safe condition, as there were several breeches in it caused by the discharge of boiling water and steam from the adjoining ironworks. Skating had, however, been going on to a large extent during the day, and up to a late hour on Friday night large numbers of both males and females were on the ice. About a quarter to ten o’clock, at which time the moon was somewhat shaded by a thin haze in the atmosphere, the deceased and others who had decided to come off after another turn, were skating within about four yards of the open water, when suddenly the ice gave way, and Tyson and Crewdson fell in. Tyson, with great presence of mind, seized the ice with one hand and endeavoured to support the young lady with the other, and called to Boundy to come and help Maggie out of the water. Neither Tyson nor Boundy were able to keep hold of the ice, which continually broke as they clutched it, and as it was out of the power of those on the ice to assist them, the three were drowned. Immediate search was made for the bodies, and they were recovered between eleven and twelve o’clock. – The Coroner, in summing up at the close of the inquest, spoke of the want of caution and indiscretion of the deceased skating so near to the water, and expressed the opinion that the police ought to be authorised to prevent skaters going on dangerous places. He mentioned an instance where a few days previously he had seen a skater trying how near he could get to the water with impunity, and also alluded to a narrow escape a boy had had from drowning in the canalafewdaysprevious. Herecommendedthatthe Local Board should provide appliances for saving life in such emergencies. – A verdict that the deceased were accidentally drowned was returned. – The deceased were buried in the non-conformist portion of the cemetery on Monday afternoon. The corteges joined, and the ceremony as well as the procession was one for the three unfortunate young people. The female members of Rev. Troughton’s band of hope wearing their medals, headed the procession. It was estimated that there were upwards of 1,000 people in the cemetery. The three graves were dug side by side, the body of Miss Crewdson being laid in the centre. The funeral service was most feelingly rendered by the Rev. W. Troughton, Free Church minister.