FISHERMAN DROWNED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 259, 31 July 1939, Page 10

FISHERMAN DROWNED

Dinghy Capsizes In Heavy Sea COMPANION STRUGGLES TO SHORE THROUGH SURF By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, July 30. Thrown into the water when their dinghy capsized off the mouth of the Tarawera River this morning, one man was drowned and another reached the shore only after a struggle through heavy surf. Tlie man drowned was William David Parsons, aged 32. married, with no children, of Matata. The body of Mr. Parsons was later washed ashore about 1:1 miles from the point where the accident occurred. The other man was Mr. Edward Lass, aged about 30, unmarried and a recent arrival from England. He had been working for Mr. Parsons as a fisherman for some months. Mr. Lass and Mr. Parsons were using a net from their dinghy, assisted by three other men on shore. A heavy sea was running at tlie time and theirs was tlie only boat engaged in fishing. They had made a pull on the net without incident and were turning to come inshore when a particularly large wave struck them side on about 200 yards from slpore, overturning tlie di/ghy. Both men began swimming. Mr. Lass was heard to call, “Are you all right, Dave?” Mr.' Parsons replied that be was following. The men on shore were watching Mr. Lass as he struggled through the surf and did not see Mr. Parsons disappear. His absence was not discovered till -Mr. Lass had been assisted ashore and, as there were no boats available, nothing could be done. Mr. Parsons is stated to have been a fair swimmer, but he had an injury to a knee which was likely, to cause cramp. He had removed liis shoes to go fishing, but was fairly heavily clothed.