Death By Drowning

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 15

Death By Drowning

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 16. Walter Martin Oliver Brookes, aged 57, a journalist, died by drowning when bathing in Oriental Bay on March 17, th“ Wellington Coroner (Mr P. Keesing) has found. The Coroner said that what had prevented Brookes keeping his head above water was not known. It could have been ■ cramp or some sort of fit but I it certainly was not a heart i attack. i Mrs Elsie Charlott Brookes , said her husband had gone ■ swimming alone on the morning of March 17. She had re- ■ mained on the beach. After • five minutes she became coni cerned and asked two men to i swim out to see if he was all right. I One of the two men, Brian > Robin Jacobi, a fireman said he was in the water when : Brookes waded in. He said he thought at the ■ time that Brookes was “rather ’ game” going into the very I cold water so quickly. ■Witness said he and his

companion carried Brookes ashore. He did not respond to resuscitation. The Coroner said his finding was that Brookes had died in Wellington Hospital, the cause of death being drowning.