Coroner’s Court Man Died When Struck By Runaway Boat

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29760, 1 March 1962, Page 6

Coroner’s Court Man Died When Struck By Runaway Boat

Thrown into Lake Bryndwr when he accidentally started the motor boat in which he was standing, a man suffered severe head injuries when the empty boat ran about the lake in circles and struck him a number of times, according to evidence given by Constable J. G. Harris in the Coroner's Court yesterday. The Coroner (Mr A. l. Bell) found that Archibald John Campbell, aged 35, died on January 1 at Lake Bryndwr, the cause of death being fractures of the skull and lacerations of the brain received when he was struck by a boat. Sergeant J. F. Waugh and Constable G. A. Lithgow represented the police at all the inquests Constable Harris, of Papanui. said he received informa, tion that a man had been killed at Lake Bryndwr He made a search of the lake with the assistance of members of the public and the body, who had sustained severe head injuries, was recovered. He formed the opinion that death was instantaneous.

The boat, a 12ft runabout, was the property of Ronald Foster Campbell. It was fitted with a 25 horse-power motor with the forward controls in the front seat

It appeared that Archibald Campbel) was going to tow a 14-year-old relative. John Campbell, around the lake on water skis. Constable Harris said A person called out tha’ the tow line was fouled on a cleat on the stern Campbel) sprang into the rear cockpit in an attempt to free it. When he went to pull the rope it was also fouled on the throttle in front. “A sudden jerk on the line opened the throttle to hard ahead and Campbell was thrown into the water The boat made a 15ft circle striking Campbell a number of times It was not until 20 minutes later that the boat came to rest" said Constable Harris.

Other Verdicts ■n>e Coroner found that: Keith Victor John Cotton, aged 27, was drowned when a SSL drivon by George Thomas Wrirht. a storeman, plunged in to the Heatheote river at the east end of Ford street. Opawa. on August S. 19*1. Louis George Paters, aged 24. died as a result of multiple In-

juries sustained when the car he was driving on Pages road struck a pole at the corner of Cuffs road. George Watson, aged 58, died on January 4. the cause of death being multiple injuries received when he fell over a 100 ft cliff at Scarborough. Donna Lee Griffiths, aged seven months, died on January 15, the cause of death being shock and toxemia during an operation at the Christchurch Hospital. Michael Erek McAulay. aged 20 committed suicide on January 24, the cause of death being poisoning. Edward James Foster Reid, aged 41 committed suicide on December 13. 1961, the cause of death being poisoning.