George Souris's tragic drowning. Namoi River, Gunnedah. Dec 25, 1952.

As reported in the Namoi Valley Independent, Jan 15, 1953.

Drowning on Christmas Day Accidental

The Coroner, Mr. T. C. Gascoyne, found that Georges Souris (13), of Gunnedah, was accidentally drowned whilst bathing at the Namoi River, Gunnedah, on 25th December, at the conclusion of an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, yesterday.

Dr. Colin Anderson, who made an examination of the body, said the death was due to drowning in his opinion. There were no marks of violence present.

Detective Constable O'Donnell said that enquiries had disclosed that the boy was of Greek nationality, and had been in Australia for approximately twelve months, residing with his uncle and guardian, Peter Venardos, of Gunnedah.

At about 5 p.m. on Christmas Day, the deceased was one of a party Greeks, and Mr and Mrs Coombs, who went to Mr W. J. Knight's property, Connandale, were they picnicked on the river, and went fishing and swimming.

The deceased was in the strict custody of his uncle and was allowed in the river near the shallow bank where the depth of the river would be about two feet. Another swimmer, Anthony Prineas, was present, and was in possession of an inflated rubber tube. The deceased was eager to learn to swim, and was ultimately allowed to get on the tube and was shown the fundamentals of swimming by Prineas.

When he reached a position in the river which would be about five to six feet in depth, there was a sudden draft of water, and evidentaly a fall in the river bed. Prineas was apparently suddenly upset and lost control of the tube, with Souris on it, and Souris became dislodged from the tube.

Prineas immediately tried to rescue Souris, and Souris, who was in the course of sinking, grasped Prineas around the neck, At the same time they both went into deeper water, and the deceased ultimately, during his struggles, pulled Prineas down.

Prineas shouted for help and others, including Peter Venardos and Emanuel Kalos, went out to assist. Venardos could not reach the youth and Prineas became exhausted, and Kalos grabbed hold of the deceased. However, during his struggles he was lost. Others arrived, and endevoured to rescue the lad, but failed.

The police and ambulance were ultimately notified and after that evening the area was dragged where the body had disappeared. Local citizens also assisted by diving. The body was not recovered until ...:30 am the following morning.

Detective O'Donnell said that from his enquiries he was satisfied that every effort had been made to save the boy. He said that he had ascertained that at the particular location in the Namoi River at which the fatality had occurred the depth of the water is 18 feet. There is a strong down current which had an eddying effect. The river bed is pitted and is considered unsafe for even experienced swimmers.

Mick Kalos, cafe proprietor, Gunnedah, identified the body as that of Georges Souris to the District Coroner.

Anthony Prineas (20), cafe assistant at the White Rose Cafe, Gunnedah, told the court of his outing on the Namoi River with a party of Greeks and Mr and Mrs Coombs, and his fishing and swimming excursions in the river.

He said that about 5 p.m. he went across to where Georges Souris and his uncle were, with the tube which he had been using to swim with and after Georges had asked him a few timed to be allowed on the tube, he was eventually allowed. He (witness) then let the tube go.

The boy asked him to teach him to swim and he showed him how to move his hands and what to do. At the same time they were getting further out into the middle of the river, witness remaining close to the tube and Georges. He was splashing around and witness said he kept telling him to kick his legs and move his arms in the manner of swimming.

Suddenly they came to a part of the river where there was a big suction of water which suddenly deepened and the next he remembered Georges was off the tube. He grabbed him around the neck, and he (witness) shouted for help. He was a very strong boy and dragged him deeper into the water. Witness said Georges clutching around his neck prevented him from calling out any more after the second time.

They both went down and when he came up again Peter Venardos had waded out and stretched his arm out to him. He could not reach his hand and Georges had pulled him down a couple of times more, then let go of his neck.

Witness said he saw him come to the surface and tried to swim back with him with one hand, but Georges again grabbed him around the neck and pulled him under. He became exhausted and was separated from the boy. Souris ahd also pulled Kalos under, the same as he had done him. He came out of the water, but went back and commenced to dive in the spot where he disappeared, but couldn't find.

[This incident is referred to in other entries under Gunnedah.

Theo Kepreotes of Maroubra, (resident Gunnedah, 1937-1949) recalls that "..the then mayor of Gunnedah, the late F. L. O'Keefe, immediately commissioned the council's engineer's to design and construct the municipality's swimming pool".]