On Saturday 2 August 1856 Constable Bates was on a routine patrol when he attempted to cross the Loddon River five and a half miles from the Serpentine Creek Police Station. Because he could not swim he led his horse into the water and clung to it as it swam across. When it reached the middle of the river it sank dragging Bates down with it. The horse subsequently struggled to shore but the Constable was drowned.