STUMBLED OVER GUFF

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 8

STUMBLED OVER GUFF

BOY INJURED AND DROWNED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 31. A tragedy occurred at Stanley Bay yesterday afternoon, when a boy of nine years, William Haldane Worrall, fell over a cliff behind the residence of his parents, Mr and Mrs W. 0. Worral, of Stanley Point road, and was drowned. The injuries received in his fall dotvn the 40ft face of the cliff contributed to his death. The house is one of those overlooking the harbour, and with grounds extending to the edge of the nigh cliff on the western side of Stanley Bay wharf. The lad, with his brother, David, aged five years, had been playing in the grounds, where there was no barrier. The children had been warned against playing there, as the pathway running close to a flight of steps to the beach is dangerous for children.

According to the lad’s brother, William stumbled and fell over the edge. On seeing him disappear the other child ran about a quarter of a mile to the Ngataringa tennis courts, where Mrs Worrall was playing, and told her of the accident. Accompanied by three other lady members, Mrs Worrall ran back to her home. Mr Worrall was at that time taking part in a cricket match on the recreation grounds adjoining the lawn tennis courts, and it was not until later that he was informed of what had happened. Mrs Worrall and her companions looked over the edge of the cliff and saw the child lying in shallow water face ‘downward and arms outstretched.