SUICIDE ATTEMPT

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 11

SUICIDE ATTEMPT

BY CHRISTCHURCH MAN. MOTORIST DODGES HIM. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. May 19. To have a man rush out from the footpath and throw himself on his back, with arms and legs asprawl, in front of his car, was the nerve-wrack-ing experience of the Christchurch City Council accountant (Mr C. S. Bowie), to-day. Mr Bowie avoided the man with difficulty, and the police are now searching for him. Mr Bowie, who lives at Cashmere, was driving his car into town, shortly before nine o’clock this morning, when he noticed a man standing on the footpath. Suddenly, as Mr Bowie’s cai was just about opposite the man. he ran from the footpath and threw himself headlong in its ppth. “He either threw himself on. his back, or rolled over after diving in front of me,” said Mr Bowie. “One thing is certain, and that was that he did not slip. It was a deliberate act.” Mr Bowie braked and swerved sharply, just missing the man by inches’ As soon as possible, he looked back through his rear window, and saw the man pick himself up and walk to the other side of the road, where he took up his waiting position again. Mr Bowie’s next action was to telephone to the Beckenham Police Station. Mr Bowie left a message, say-

ing what had occurred, and giving his name and his office address, in case further details were required. Resuming his journey into town, Mr Bowie decided that he would take further , steps t 0 have the man placed under restraint, so he drove to the Central Police Station, where he made a statement. This meant that he w’as half an hour late in arriving at the City Council office. In the meantime, a constable at Beckenham had telephoned and asked for Mr Bowie. A typist who answered the telephone told the constable that he had not yet arrived, and then the constable mentioned "attempted suicide.” The word “suicide” was enough for the typist. What she said is not ver v clear, but it was sufficient to give others the impression that Mr Bowie had committed suicide. There was consternation in the office, and the distress was only allayed by the arrival of Mr Bowie himself. During the morning, the police searched the district for the man answering the description given ay r Bowie.