Springdale drownings cause grief in town

People in Springdale are shocked by two drownings that happened in the central Newfoundland town early Monday morning.

A 43-year-old woman and her 30-year-old brother drowned after falling into the water from a boat docked at the Springdale wharf. Another sister was able to run for help.

Police say they received the callaround 1:30 Monday morning.

Many people in the town are shaken by the accident, said Springdale resident Lester Tizzard. The brother and sister were well known and well liked in the community.

"Everybody knows each other here," said Tizzard.

"It was only a couple of days ago I was talking to them. Then, all of a sudden, you get up and, you know, get a phone call and there he is drowned."

Tizzard said he does not understand how the drownings happened.

Police are still investigating the accident.

RCMP Cpl. Faron Harnum said alcohol was most likely involved, but police are not sure how much of a factor that may have been in the drownings.

"There was beer at the scene," said Harnum. "I'm not exactly sure how much, but it was apparent that it was containers that were being used by one or more of the three people that were involved."

Police arelooking for anyone who witnessed the accident.