Mexborough and Swinton Times August 21, 1915

Conisborough Drowning Tragedy
Schoolboy Falls into the River

A boy named Thomas Wellings, age 9 years, whose parents reside at 27 Wadworth Street, New Conisborough, whilst playing with some other children on the bank of the river Don about 4:30 PM on Tuesday afternoon, accidentally slipped into the river and was drowned.

The boys playmates states that he was fishing, when he over balanced and fell into the river near the railway bridge close to Mr William Watson sawmills.

The police, on receiving information, proceeded to the spot, and dragging operations were commenced. The body was recovered at about 5:30 PM on the same evening.

A little boy named Sam Hinchcliffe was drowned similarly at the same spot some months ago. Quite recently Mr Morton’s body was recovered from the same vicinity.

This is the third drowning fatality which has occurred in this portion of the river within a comparatively short period of time. A sad coincidence is that all the families are relatives.