Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 13 August 1928

Three Men in Brave Rescue Effort.
Wombwell Canal Tragedy.
Miner Drowned in Sight of Big Crowd

Albert Moore (38), colliery worker, of 277, Hough Lane, Wombwell was drowned in the canal at Wombwell on Saturday. Three men, including Fred Pearce (19), a well-known Wombwell footballer, risked their lives in an effort to save him.

The rescue effort lasted more than half-an-hour, and a big crowd looked on.

William Rose, 11, Cortonwood Cottages, Broomhill, Wombwell, was going along the towing path of the canal when he noticed Moore struggling in the water. He ran to the spot and waded into the water with stick, but Moore failed grasp it.

Albert Edward Allen, of 43 Knollbank Lane, Brampton, Wombwell, and Rose stripped themselves of their clothing’ and went to Moore rescue. Some time elapsed before they could find the drowning man, and in attempting to get him to the side Allen himself was nearly drowned.

At this point Pearce ran out of the house and plunged into 12 feet water with his clothes on. After a desperate struggle he and Allen succeeded in bringing the man to the side. Artificial respiration failed to restore him.