YOUNG MAN DROWNED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22569, 24 February 1948, Page 6

YOUNG MAN DROWNED

WASHED FROM HORSE COMPANION GETS ASHORE (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Feb. 24. Washed out of the saddle when he was exercising a horse in the sea off the coast near Limestone Downs sheep station. Port, Waikato, a man was unable to regain the shore because of a strong undertow and was drowned. Hp was Mr. Roderick Neil Bayer, aged 34, driver, employed at Limestone Downs, who leaves a wife and three children. After riding to the coast on a fishing expedition Mr. Bayer and another station employee, Mr. S. J. Murphy, took their horses out for a swim at low tide. Mr. Murphy did not go out as far as the deceased and was returning to the shore after feeling his horse lifted off its feet by a big wave when he heard Mr. Bayer call for help. He saw the deceased struggling in the water and attempted to go to his rescue, but his horse became exhausted and would not swim out, any further. Mr. Murphy got out of the saddle and, gripping the horse by the tail, was towed back to the shore after a long struggle. Both the horse and Mr. Murphy reached safety in a state of exhaustion.

A fisherman saw Mr. Bayer’s body floating towards the beach, hut it disappeared before it could be recovered. The horse was able to swim ashore.