ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8483, 15 May 1893, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Early yesterday morning information Was brought to Lyttelton that a man named "Louis Gousemot had been drowned off the Lyttelton Heads. Gousemot was the owner of a small cutter of a few tons, named the

.Margret, and for many years has traded Lyttelton aud the Bays, taking 'down stores, &c, and bringing back firewood and grass seed and other Penmsula produce. He left Lyttelton about ten o'clock on Saturday morning for Cough's Bay, with a small load of stores. The little wind prevailing at the time was against him, and the Margret had considerable difii- . culty in beating down to the Heads, as a considerable swell was rolling in. Gousemot was accompanied by a man named Jules ' Danton, who shared the labour of working ; the little craft, loading and unloading cargo. Danton states that they managed to get down to the Heads about nightfall, at which time the swell was still rolling in strongly and the wind against them. It was Gousemont's watch on deck at eight o'clock, and at that hour Danton left him in charge of the craft and turned in. About an hour and a half later he was awakened by hearing the boom of the vessel swaying from side to side, and he found that the craft had come up into the wind, and was acting as if no one were in charge of her. He immediately went on deck and looked round for Gousemot, whom * he was unable to find. When Danton had last seen him at eight o'clock he was sitting on the rail, wkich is about, tweh-e or fifteen inches high, steering. Danton concluded that the unfortunate man had been struck .by the boom and knocked overboard, as the \ heavy swell was causing the boom to swing about considerably. Danton endeavoured to put the craft about, but there was not f sufficient wind and too much sea to enable ' him to do so. He therefore let go the : anchor, took the boat which was towing ■ astern and went in search of the missing

man. The chances of finding him alive

were remote in the extreme, as Gousemot was unable to swim a stroke, and .if struck by the boom, had probably been stunned. Danton, however, continued his ■ search for about an hour, calling loudly all the time. The lost man's hat was found ■ floating on the water and Danton returned 'to the cutter. He then endeavoured to lift \the anchor, with the intention of getting to Lyttelton with the news as soon as possible. He found, however, that single handed he was unable to lift the anchor and he, therefore, remained with the cutter till daylight yesterday morning, when he took the boat and rowed back to Port and informed the police of what had occurred. Sergeant O-dalley returned with Danton in Messrs, Agar and Roberts' launch to the cutter, -which was taken in tow and brought back to Lyttelton. Gousemot was a steady, hard working man, and was much respected in Lyttelton where he had resided for many years. He leave a wife aud six small children for whom much sympathy is felt. A mishap which might have terminated in a serious accident took place shortly before 12 o'clock on Saturday. As Mr John Webber, of Ferry road, was crossing over Manchester street towards Burkes Hotel, a spring dray came at a rapid rate towards the railway station, and before Mr Webber had time to get out of the road, the off-side shaft struck him on the shoulder and knocked him down on his face, the wheel of the cart passing over his right leg below the knee. Luckily beyond some nasty cuts on the head and face, end a laceration of the, knee, he was otherwise unhurt. Amy Alexander, four years of age, residing with her parents in Victoria street, was accidentally knocked down in that street yesterday morning by a cab. She was taken to the Hospital, where, upon examination, it was fouud that the right thigh had been broken. The little sufferer was attended to, and is progressing satisfactorily.

(press association telegram.)

AUCKLAND, May 14. The porter at the Auckland District Hospital, George Oxley, was found dead in bed On Saturday morning.