FATALITY AT RONA BAY

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 33, 10 February 1919, Page 7

FATALITY AT RONA BAY

RETURNED SOLDIER DROWNED

NARROW ESCAPE OF "TWO FRIENDS.

A very sad bathing fatality occurred at Rona Bay on Saturday afternoon, whereby a returned soldier named Dudley M'Kenzie lost his life, and two friendsMr. Ernest Hunt, a well-known city accountant, and Mr. Wilfred F. Harrison, another returned soldier—very nearly lost their lives in attempting to rescue the drowning man.

Deceased was a single man, 24 years of age, and prior to enlisting with the 19th Reinforpements had engaged in farming pursuits at Te Tua, Orepuki, near Bluff. He had a splendid record as a soldier, and Was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in helping to silence a " pill-box " machine-gun crew at Passchendaele on 4th October, 1917, and also in recognition of his good work as a platoon runner. At that time he was a private, but subsequently he was.promoted to the rank of lance-sergeant. Harrison, who also resided at Te Tua, sailed with the same draft, and, after going through the campaign with M'Kenzie, returned with him on the Tahiti on 9th January.

An inquiry was held into the. circumstances of the fatality by Mr. W. G^ Riddell, S.M., this morning. Ernest William Hunt stated that at about 3.45 p.m., deceased, Harrison and himself went in for a bathe at Rona Bay. Deceased could not swim; but Harrison and witness swam moderately well. The spot was much frequented by. bathers, but a rough north-westerly sea was coming in, the tide was receding, and a fairly strong wind was blowing. The water was shallow, and they went out about 25 yards. After being in the water five or six minutes, witness turned t6 the shore, and so lost sight of deceased. In a southerly direction the water deepened in shore. Shortly afterwards Harrison called out that deceased was in difficulties, and witness and Harrison made for the filan, who had apparently been caught by the undertow and carried out. ■ Witness could hot reach him, as the waves were against him, and he was carried away from the drowning man, but Harrison reached M'Kenzie and supported him for a time. Eventually witness got ashore practically in a state of collapse. M'Kenzie had by this time disappeared. The alarm was given to two men on the beach, and they attracted the attention of two fishermen who rowed to the scene and rescued Harrison. The boat was rowed about the scene of the fatality, but no trace of the deceased was found:

Wilfred Frank Harrison said that he knew the deceased oould not swim. A few seconds before the man got into difficulties witness saw him standing in water about breast deep. A moment later M'Kenzie appeared to have lost his footing, and to be in trouble. Witness called to Hunt, and waded and swam to M'Kenzie, who was struggling violently. Witness held him witli one hand, and endeavoured" to get inshore, but as he was only a moderate- swimmer he was unable to make any headway. Apparently the beach shelved steeply into a channel. Witness held on as long as he could, but, feeling himself exhausted, had to let the man go, and then floated down with the current until he was picked rip by the boat. Constable A. Gregor, temporarily stationed at Eastbourne, gave evidence-to the effect that the body of deceased was finally recovered about 9.30 p.m. on the beach at Muritai, about two miles from thel scene of the accident.

The Coroner, after reviewing the evidence, said that .the efforts of both Mr. Harrison and Mr. Hunt were worthy of very high commendation, but though they did their best M'KeVizie conld not be saved. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned.