DEATH BY DROWNING

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22635, 14 February 1939, Page 6

DEATH BY DROWNING

BODY FOUND IN ASHBURTON RIVER

A verdict that death was caused by drowning, apparently after having had a seizure while bathing, was returned by the Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst) • yesterday at the inquest on Kenneth George Leonard, aged 23, a single farm labourer, of Leeston street, Ashburton, who was found drowned in the Ashburton rivet on Sunday afternoon, clad in a bath* ing costume. . Grace Caroline Broker, mother’ri Leonard, said her son was in good health, but was subject to epileptic fit* during the last three years. The attacks were sudden, and were caused by sunstroke, which he suffered while harvesting about three years ago. David William Dakers. an insurance agent, gave evidence of finding the body on a small shingle bar in about 18 inches of water. Stanley Edward Hortin, woollen mills employee, said he was swimming ; in a hole six feet deep in the Ashburton river with Leonard and others. He saw Leonard swim to the middle of - the stream and sit on a log in the ' water. Leonard then appeared to be quite- normal. A few minutes later ’ witness left the riverbed and wenthome. Sergeant J. F. Cleary said that When he recovered r the body it contained ' froth in the mouth and nostrils.