Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

FLOODED CREEK
CLAIMS LONGREACH MAN
TRAGIC DROWNING
The flooded Gin Creek caused a tragedy on Sunday morning, when Mr. Dennis James Hanifin, (29), was drowned, in attempting to cross on horseback. Employed by W. and B.  Savage, butchers, the late Mr. Hanifin had gone to the slaughter-yard that morning, secured his horse and started to Elibank on the southern side of Big Gin Creek, to bring back  another horse for Mr Bernie Savage, and the two were  then to muster and yard cattle for Monday's slaughtering. The arrangement was that Mr. Savage was to be at the yards at  about 9 a.m. to meet deceased, but on arrival about that time, saw Mr. Hannifln's horse and dog return ing from Little Gin Creek, both dripping wet, and the horse, rider-less. He  immediately notified his father, (Mr. W. J. Savage), and the police and a search began, in which Constables Birtrell, Swan, Ingram and Dickens were joined quickly, by about 50  civilians, who continued the search, till the body was discovered in about 6 to 8 feet of water at 11 p.m. on Sunday night, 150 yards below where he had entered the creek. The tragic discovery was made by his brother in law, Mr. Doug Perkins. Reconstruction of the happenings was possible to a degree, from the tracking of the horse and dog to the Little  Gin, which was crossed, and on to the Big Gin. Here, however, deceased evidently considered the stream too strong, and he returned. It was seen clearly, where the horse re-entered the Little Gin Creek, and where it emerged. What happened to cause Mr. Hanifin's death in those few minutes, will never be known.  The horse he was riding was known  as a strong swimmer, but Mr. Hanifin was not a good swimmer, but he had crossed the creek on several occasions lately. When it has been in as high flood as on Sunday, and had had no trouble.  Both creeks were flooded by recent heavy rains and an estimate of the current in the Little Gin Creek, placed it at 12 knots, on Sunday. The late Mr. Hanifin was married, his wife being Lorna. daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Maher, and there are three children to mourn their great loss, Terrence (8 years, Joy (5 years) and Brian (2 years).
Deceased had been employed by Savage Bros. before the war and on demobilisation, had rejoined the firm. His service in a Field Bakery Unit, took him to Bougainville, and he  was a member of the Australian party which was first into Singapore after its re-capture from the Japs. He was in the army about 4 years in all. He was a keen footballer, and during the 1948 season, suffered a broken foot, which laid him up for some time. The funeral on Monday afternoon, left St. Brigid's R.C. Church, the service being conducted by  Rev. Father Butler. Testifying to the respect in which the late Mr. Hanifin was held by the sporting community, the hearse was preceded by 48 senior members of the Longreach  league. Blue and Fire Brigade Football Clubs, led by Mr. A. McNeil, (past president Rugby Ieague), Mr. H. Searles, (captain Blues Club, of which the deceased was a member), Mr.  J. J. Power (president Blues Club), Mr. E. Willlams (president Brigade Club). Following were 28 school boy footballers.