DEATH OF SHIP’S COOK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29630, 28 September 1961, Page 6

DEATH OF SHIP’S COOK

Inquest Concluded At Greymoutli (From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. Sept. 27. At an adjourned inquest e: the Greymouth - Courthouse yesterday af'.ernon, the District Coroner. Mr R. A. Kay. Justice of the Peace, found that Frederick Leomotu, of Auckland, a ship’s cook, died on July 25 of injuries suffered when he accidentally fell into the Grey river between the wharf and the ship. Kaitangata. The evidence of « three members of th' crew of the Kaitangata had been taken in Auckland where they gave their versions of what bad led up to the mishap. Dr. J. L. Dunscombe. pathologist at the Grey Hospital. who carried out a postmortem examination on the body of Leomotu, said the skull bones and cervical vertebrae were fractured. There were extensive deposits of sand in the left ear, and haemorrhage of the tissues adjacent to the fractures. The injuries were consistent with the crushing of the skull between the ship and a wharf pile. Sergeant F. W. Flanagan, Greymouth, gave details of a search made under the wharf and in the river in the vicinity of where Leomotu had fallen. This, and further searching by launch had proved unavailing. From what witness had learned from members of the ship’s crew, he thought it possible that deceased had fallen between the ship and a pile on the wharf and that he had been injured. It apeared that the fall was accidental.

Constable M. Tjrling, Greymouth, gave evidence of the discovery of the body on the North Shore beach at Cobden on August 1. He said the body was lying unclothed face upward and had apparently been washed up by the sea about two or three hours previously.