A GALLANT ACT

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 91, 14 October 1940, Page 4

A GALLANT ACT

COURT'S COMMENDATION

"I think it only right that the Court should make some mention of the gallant action of this man," said the Coroner (Mr, W. G. Mellish) on Friday afternoon after an inquest into the death of Andrew Keady, a seaman, who fell into the water between the Armadale and the wharf while repairs were being carried out. Mr. Mellish was referring to the action of Leslie Waters Seagar, a. boilermaker, who dived into the water in an attempt to save Keady.

"He apparently heard the cry .of 'Man overboard/ went on the wharf, saw what had happened, and dived between the ship and the wharf," said Mr. Mellish. "It was a very dangerous thing to do when the ship might surge against the wharf, and his action is worthy of the highest commendation. 1 think the Royal Humane Society should be advised of this occurrence."

Sergeant J. Martin, who conducted the inquest: I quite concur. It was a plucky thing to dive in there, even apart from the ship being alongside.

Dr. P. P. Lynch, who conducted the post mortem examination, said Keady had a seizure, as a result of heart disease, which would cause almost instantaneous death. There was no evidence of water having been swallowed while he was in the sea, or that death was due to drowning., Artificial respiration was applied on the wharf, and he was rushed to hospital and put in an iron lung, but the evidence showed that he was not drowned.

A finding in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.