MAN DROWNED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27369, 7 June 1954, Page 8

MAN DROWNED

BODY CAUGHT UNDER SEAWEED

UNDERWATER FISHING EXPEDITION

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 6. After being trapped beneath seaweed, Herbert Frank Meredith, aged 40, a salesman, of 66 Hutt road,’ Petone, was drowned .today at Karaka Bay. His body was recovered about 1 p.m. He was taken to the Wellington Public Hospital, but was found to be dead. Equipped with under-water breathing apparatus, Mr Meredith and two friends went to Karaka Bay this morning on a paua-fishing expedition. The gear had been used for one half-hour swim when Mr Meredith strapped it on. He entered the water soon after 12.30 p.m., and had been swimming for about 10 minutes when his friends saw that he was in difficulties. He was about 30 feet from the beach, in 10 feet of water; and appeared to have his air mask half off his face. As Mr Meredith was covered by . a breaking wave, his friends dived in to save him. One of them almost touched his arm as he sank for the last time, and drifted under some kelp. There his companions were unable to reach him.

Seven minutes later, a bystander plunged in with a rope, dived into the seaweed holding the body, and tied the rope round Mr Meredith’s He was then pulled ashore. Artificial resuscitation was used without avail. Mr Meredith had been participating in underwater sport only since the start of this year, and he had told friends during the week that today’s was the last expedition on Which-he intended to go.

YOUTH KILLED BY RIFLE BULLET

(New Zealand Press Association) MASTERTON, June 6. Fatal head injuries were suffered by Julio de Menthe, aged 20, of High street, Taita, when he was accidentally wounded by a bullet from a .22 rifle at Opaki this afternoon. He died; sooh after being admitted, to ths Masterton Hospital. He had been on a hunting expedition.

CHILD FATALLY INJURED

KNOCKED DOWN BY CAR (New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 6. A small boy died after a motor accident at Hawera on Saturday afternoon. Heswas

Terence Arthur Owen Barnes, aged 3J years, who lived with his parents, Mr and Mrs A. A. Barnes, of 27 Victoria street, Hawera.

The accident occurred in Victoria street about 4.40 p.m. It is thought that the child ran on to the Toadway from behind parked vehicles into the path of a car.

The child was taken to the Hawera Hospital, and died shortly after admission.

MAN BELIEVED DROWNED

THREE COMPANIONS IN DINGHY ESCAPE (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 6. Search parties tonight dragged the Tamaki river near Seaside parade, Ctahuhii, for the body of a man who is believed to have been drowned when a dinghy carrying four men was swamped about 6.30 pjrf. The missing man was Robert Bissman, aged 35, of Beattie street, Otahuhu. The other three men struggled ashore. The party had been fishing from a launch, ana was rowing ashore in the dinghy when the craft foundered.

MAN BURNED TO DEATH FIRE DESTROYS WHARE (New Zealand Press Association) GISBORNE, June 5. The hody of a man, believed to be Douglas McLaren, aged about 60, a labourer, was recovery! from-a burntout whare at Ruatoria this morning. Mr McLaren was last seen alive about 10 p.m. yesterday. The fire was first noticed about 3 a.m., and the Ruatoria Fire Brigade was called. It is not known whether Mr McLaren had any relatives in New Zealand. The whare was situated in a Ministry of Works camp near the Waiapu bridge.

YOUNG MAN FOUND BADLY INJURED

(New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, June 6. A young man who is believed to have fallen from the Limited express early on Saturday, and lay unconscious in freezing temperatures for six or seven hours, was found near the railway line about half a mile north of Horopito at a a.m. on Saturday. He is David M. Dods, of 24 Ascot avenue, Auckland. Mr Dods was taken to ‘ the Waimarino Hospital with severe head injuries and shock. His condition is serious.

TWO WOMEN INJURED IN COLLISION

Two ydUng : women were injured when two cars collided at the intersection of Hills and Shirley jroads early last evening. They are Miss Mary Bishop, of 99 Trafalgar street, and Miss Irene Kennett, of 169 Geraldine street. Both were taken to the Christchurch Public Hospital by St. John ambulance.

Miss Kennett was later sent home, but Miss Bishop was admitted. -Her condition was reported later to be satisfactory.