Man drowned at Nelson

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32893, 17 April 1972, Page 1

Man drowned at Nelson

(Tr om Our Own Reporter) NELSON, April 16. The body of a Swedish-born man who had lived in New Zealand for 24 years was found beside the yacht which was to have taken him back to Sweden, in Nelson Harbour on Saturday morning.

He was KANUT AXEL GEORG PETERSSON, aged 49. Mr Petersson and a companion, Noel Selwyn Derrett, of 71 Ascot Avenue, North Beach, Christchurch, fell into the water in Nelson Harbour when their dinghy capsized about 12.30 a.m. on Saturday.

Mr Derrett was rescued about 2 a.m. and admitted to the intensive care ward of Nelson Public Hospital for observation. He was taken off the danger list today and tonight was reported to be in a satisfactory condition. Mr Petersson had been living aboard the yacht Tamahine, owned by Mr S. E. A Persson, of Nelson, for the

i last two months and was to > have accompanied Mr Persf son on the yacht in a cruise r to Sweden. f He met Mr Derrett, who - was in Nelson on business, i on Friday night and invited him to inspect the yacht - which was moored across the - harbour close to the light- . house. ; They rowed out to the

yacht in a dinghy and after a brief inspection decided to return to land. Mr Derrett got into the dinghy and a few seconds after Mr Petersson stepped into it the light craft capsized. Mr Derrett saw that Mr Petersson had grasped the mooring rope of a catamaran close to the Tamahine, but both men had diffii culty in hauling themselves ■ aboard. ■ After about an hour in the water, Mr Derrett was able > to climb aboard and when , he could not find any rope, I lifebuoys, or lifejackets for ; Mr Petersson, decided to try i to lift him aboard. He made the attempt to help Mr Petersson over the i bows many times but was un-

r able to do so. Mr Petersson ’ then attempted to move , along the yacht to the stem, s holding onto a rubbing strake 1 but half-way along his hands - slipped from the strake and t Mr Derrett lost sight of him. 1 Mr Petersson was unable - to swim. During his rescue attempts, - Mr Derrett continued to call 3 for help. His calls were heard finally by Mr R. Stringer, s who rowed across the hars bour, brought Mr Derrett i ashore and notified the police , about 2 a.m. r Eight skindivers searched / the area within an hour and a half of the alarm being > given and found Mr Peters- » son’s body under the catama- . ran.