MAUKU DROWNING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 12

MAUKU DROWNING.

VERDICT AT THE INQUEST.

COMPANION'S BRAVE EFFORT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PUKEKOHE, this day.

An inquest into the drowning of Albert Thomas Watkins, aged 24, of Cobden Street, Newton, when a dinghy swamped in Mauku Creek at White Cliffs Beach on Sunday, was held at Pnkekolie to-day before the district coroner, Mr. C. K. Lawrie. Alexander Wadeson McCullough stated that along with deceased .and another friend he left Auckland on Sunday to spend two days with his father at Glenbrook. While he was rowing across the creek with deceased, a particularly large wave swamped the dinghy, so they both set out to swim to the shore. After covering about 15 yards deceased called out, "Good-bye!" saying that he was done. Witness then managed to bring him ashore, where he applied artificial respiration. Albert Joseph Watkins, father of deceased, stated that deceased was a good swimmer, but he had an operation to the ear and was warned by a doctor not to go swimming in cold water.

In returning a verdict of death due to accidental drowning, the coroner commended Mr. McCullough on his very plucky efforts to save his companion, battling ashore with him despite the very cold, boisterous weather conditions.