ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 18

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

POMAHAKA RIVER TRAGEDY. An inguest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Owen Frederick Dow, who was drowned in the Pomahaka River on Sunday, was held in the courthouse, Tapanui, on Monday, before Mr W. R. Qum, district coroner. George Lindsay, farmer, Waikoikoi, gave evidence of identification, and stated that Dow had been in his employment as a farm labourer for about seven years, and had always enjoyed good health. He was aware that deceased was sometimes subject to cramp. Henry Arthur’ Henderson, farm labourer, Waikoikoi, said that he joined the deceased at the river at about 2.30 p.m., and after they had been swimming for about 20 minutes deceased called to him. Witness made haste to reach Dow, who had sunk once or twice before he reached him. On his getting hold of Dow, the latter seized witness and they both went down together. He managed to break the hold, and attempted to push deceased to the bank, but lost his grip, and deceased disappeared. Witness was assisted to the bank by his mates. He was then in a very exhausted state, and unable to do anything further for deceased. Dow was a fair swimmer, whilst the rest of the party were poor swimmers. Gordon Henry Spittle and Edgar Bedford Tyson, the other two members of the party, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness, and evidence also given by Constable Blaimires, of Tapanui. and hy Dr W. Robertson (Tapanui), who stated that the cause of death was by drowning. The Coroner returned a verdict of death by accidental drowning. FALL FROM LADDER. A boy nained Charles Connelly, who was playing in the Woodhaugh Gardens late yesterday afternoon, fell from a ladder and fractured his left wrist. He was admitted to the hospital at 5.30 p.m. His parents live at 363 George streetDROWNED IN WATER HOLE. Thomas Wilson (65), single, one of the most prominent farmers in _ the Marohemo district, was drowned in a water hole on his farm yesterday evening, where he evidently went to bathe. The fatality was not discovered till this morning.—Whangarei Press Associationi