CASUALTIES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14988, 8 June 1914, Page 8

CASUALTIES.

A WATERSIDER DROWNED

Shortly after 7.30 on Saturday evening an elderly man named Thomas O'Mrtlley fell over tho ferry wharf at Lytteltou and was drowned. At the time of the accident O'Mallev was in tho company of another man named O Aeill, who immediately called for assistance. In falling, deceased struck his head ngainst tho side of tho ferry steamer Wahine, and did not rise again. A man was sent over the sido with a lantern, but was unable to find any sign of the missing man, and, although dragging operations were carried out by the police under tho supervision of Senior-Sergeant Kvan they were resiiltless. As tho Wahine was leaving the wharf about an hour later the action of her propellers brought the body to the surface, and it was removed to the morgue. Tho deceased was a native of County Galway, Ire--land.

An inquest was held at Lvttelton yesterday afternoon, before Mr H W Bishop, District Coroner Timothy O'Neill, a contractor, Urine at Hawera, said that ho met O ; Malley a few minutes before the accident at the JjyttoJtou railway station. They walked together to where tho Wahine was berthed, witness then leaving him with another man named Coffee. They stood talking for a few minutes on a railway track, from which they moved when a horse came towards them pulling a truck. Witness then said that he would go aboard with Coffee, O'Malley stating that ho would accompany them as tin- as the gangway to say' good-bye. lo avoid an empty trade standing "on the wharf witness and O'Malley passed it on the side nearest the water, the atter walking on tho outride with his hands in his pockets. As far ac witness knew, O'Malley did not trio- he amply overbalanced and went over tho side.

James Patterson, superintendent steward at the Sailors' Home, Lyttelton, stated that O'Malley had,'to his knowledge, resided there about seven years. He was either 62 or 64 years of ago, single, was a wharWabonrer, and was of a quiofc and reticent disposition.

Seruor-Sergeant Ryan also cave evidence, stating that when the body was recovered there were marks on tlie left temple, showing that deceased had struck tho ship in falling, and had been stunned.

A verdict was returned that tho deceased was accidentally drowned by falling off the wharf.

An accident occurred at the Lake Coleridge works et 7 o'clock on -Saturday morning to Mrs Branner, who was leaving for Christchurch in a dray. Something frightened the two horses, for they made a sudden start, and the dray passed over a big etono. Mrs. Branmer was thrown to' the ground, and ono wheel of the dray passed over, her. Tho T>ationt was removed to the Chrifitchnrch Hospital in the Public Works Department's car. On ernuiry at the hospital last night ,Mrs Branmer was stated to be progressing favourably. * Mr Lonis Grant, of Waiau fell from a dray on Friday and broke a bone in his shoulder.