The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., May 1, 1969, page 1

RIVER CLAIMS CHILD IN SUNDAY TRAGEDY

     Tragedy struck Sunday when Carol Christine Carter, 18-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Carter of 2233 W. 9th St. The Dalles, Oregon was drowned when she was thrown from the swinging bridge over the Klickitat River about five miles north of Lyle, Sunday about 4 p.m.
     Mrs. Carter, with the child, was riding a bicycle across the bridge from the home of her sister-in-law and family, the Jerry Bertschis, to visit the Nordstrom home when the bicycle slipped on a plank, hit the side of the bridge, and they were thrown over the poultry wire netting into the Klickitat River. Although Mrs. Carter was within a few feet of the little girl, she was not able to get hold of her. The bicycle was caught in the wire and was recovered with Mrs. Carter's purse still on it.
     Mrs. Carter struggled out of the water and was found climbing up the bank about three-quarters of a mile below the bridge by Mrs. Carol Nelson.
     The baby, wearing a red and white coat and fur-trimmed hood, was sighted about a mile and a half downstream and a state patrolman twice got almost within arm's reach of her, but he was not quite able to catch her.
     Mrs. Carter was taken to The Dalles Hospital with severe multiple bruises, broken ribs, sprained hand and extreme shock.
     Assisting in the search were the State Patrol, Sheriff's officers and members of the Bingen and White Salmon Volunteer Fire Department rescue units.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer