AGED MAN DROWNED IN HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 299, 14 September 1936, Page 10

AGED MAN DROWNED IN HARBOUR

« Fell Over Aotea Quay NAVAL RATING DIVES TO RESCUE Brought to land in a coffiatose condition after he had been struggling in Wellington harbour for a short time near Aotea Quay about 5 p.m. on Saturday, Michael Joseph Curran, aged 69, an inmate of the Ohiro Home, died without regaining consciousness. A single man, he was a native of Ireland, but had been in New Zealand about.ls years. He is believed to have fallen over Aotea Quay, for his head bore injuries which .wdtild be consistent. with his having struck part of the wharf in his fall. Artificial respiration was applied, but without avail. Mr.'Curran was first seen struggling in the water by the hold-keeper of the Holmwood, Mr. Williams, who threw him a lifebuoy, which he failed to grasp. Mr. Williams then attracted the attention of two young men who were passing on a motor-cycle. One of the. young men, Mr. James Rewi Dunne, a member of! the crew of the H.M.S. Achilles at present on. leave in Wellington, immediately stripped off his clothes, and in spite of flu? cold dived into th e harbour. With the aid of the lifebuoy he reached Mr. Curran and brought him to the wharf, where lie was lifted put of the water by the wharf police and harbour board officials. The Free Ambulance was summoned, but Mr. Curran died before the hospital was reached.