FELL FROM LAUNCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 87, 13 April 1933, Page 7

FELL FROM LAUNCH.

TAURANGA YOUTH DROWNED.

MISHAP NOT NOTICED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

TAURANGA, this day.

The body of Richard Graham, aged 18, who lost his life on Friday night by falling off the launch Whareata at Omokoroa, has been found by a party of searchers about a quarter of a mile from the Omokoroa wharf.

The inquest was held this morning before Mr. A. F. Tunks. Dr. Stuart stated that in his opinion deceased was drowned.

Thomas McCullough stated that Graham went out in the boat with his wife and himself. About 8 p.m. they left the wharf, and when they had gone a hundred yards the benzine pipe burst and the engine stopped. Graham went on deck and dropped anchor. He then returned to the engineroom. The engine was fixed and then Graham went on deck to raise the anchor. Mrs. McCullough, who was in the cabin, went on deck to ascertain if the anchor was up and saw no sign of Graham, McCullough stopped the engine, pulled up the anchor, and shouted and cruised round, but with no result. He stated that if Graham had called out it was unlikely that he -could be heard in tha engine-room, owing to the noise of the engine.

McCullough and his wife proceeded to Tauranga and notified the police.

Mr. McCullough corroborated her husband's evidence, and stated that the sea was perfectly calm, with the tide running out.

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental drowning.