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6 October 2021
Ricky von Blanckensee, 18, Derek Lange, 11, June Lange, 30, and Shayne Parker, 9, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in December 1981.
Forgotten tragedy of Cooroy Creek BY ALEX PURCELL FOR 40 years, one of the biggest tragedies in Cooroy has been largely forgotten. Four people, including two children, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in 1981. Derek Lange, 11, his mother June, 30, Shayne Parker, 9 and Ricky von Blanckensee, 18 were all killed on Saturday 5 December 1981 in a tragic accident. Husband of June and father of Derek, Terry Lange told the Cooroy Rag that because they lived in one of the two houses in front of the creek, the kids played in it “all the time”. But on this day, a hot December afternoon, they had made them a raft. “We had quite a bit of rain
beforehand and the creek always flooded. Water used to come up to the front steps of the house and we’d have to park the car up the street. “This day, the water had gone down but was still running reasonably well. “Derek and Shayne
were on the raft and they grabbed a wire hanging over the creek to pull themselves along. But the wire was 'live' and nobody knew.” Tragically, the two Cooroy State School students were killed instantly. Terry said that he was inside the house when “all hell broke loose”. “We were planning a hungi for North Coast Sawmills' (our work) Social Club and [along with fellow worker, George Parker] had been out getting river rocks. “We were inside when my youngest came running in and said: ‘They’ve fallen in the creek and are not coming up’.” Terry raced outside and jumped into the creek - only to sink to the bottom.
“I jumped in but couldn’t move because of the electricity. As soon as I hit the water I sank to the bottom. “George and the others came out behind me and they dragged me out.” It was then that they discovered that Ricky von Blanckensee had also been killed. “None of us knew Ricky was in there.” The 18-year-old had jumped into the water after June to try and help. June and Ricky would later receive bravery awards for sacrificing their own lives. Ricky’s older brother, Cliff van Blankensee told the Cooroy Rag, that was just the way Ricky was. “He was very gentle and loving to everybody and anybody. He was a nice
young fella.” Cliff said he had been at his in-laws and it wasn’t until he got home that he learned the news of Ricky’s passing. “My brother was at the door waiting for us when we got home and told us the news. It was hard to believe. “It knocked a lot out of all of us but Dad took it really, really hard. He kept saying kids are supposed to bury their parents not the other way around.” Shayne’s father, George Parker told the Cooroy Rag that it’s something you never really get over. “It’s taken a long time but you never really get over something like this. “Shayne was a very thoughtful young fella. He’d bring a rose home for his mother. He loved his sport.”
Both George and Terry suffered electric shocks from the water as they tried desperately to save the four in the creek. They too would be awarded bravery medals for their actions. How the wire, believed to be inactive, became live was later the focus of a lengthy investigation. Despite investigation it was never determined exactly how power had got to the line. “We don’t have an answer which is sad,” Cliff said. And while an answer may never be determined now, there is an opportunity to remind locals and inform visitors to Cooroy about those who tragically died. Continued, page 3
Cooroy Rag, 06 October 2021 - Page
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