OHAWE FATALITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 March 1929, Page 5

OHAWE FATALITY.

INQUEST ON MISS LTJMSDEN. VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. ’The inquest concerning the death by drowning of Frances Caroline Lumsden, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Ohawe, was conducted by Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., coroner, yesterday afternoon. After hearing the evidence of several witnesses the coroner brought in a verdict that deceased met her death by accidental drowning at Ohawe on March 6.

William James Meyer said he was going towards the Waingongoro Riv.er at Qfiawe for the purpose of bathing. As he was going down to the stream he noticed a woman paddling. This was some distance from the actual bathing pool, and she had a long stick in her hand and was walking in the water fairly close to the bank. Witness went "into the lupins to change into liis bathing clothes, and when he came out he saw deceased floating down the stream into deep water. She did not seem to he struggling, and witness thought she could swim a little. When witness saw that deceased was in difficulties he threw in a post, which deceased took hold of immediately. The swift current took her to the steps at the far- side of the stream. Witness called out to her to keep her head up and reach for the ladder against the bank, but deceased missed it and attempted to strike out, again getting hold of the post in the water. Witness was unable to swim, and where the deceased was it was exceptionally deep water. When deceased first , took hold of the post in the water witness signalled to Mr Trask who summoned assistance, Messrs Duckworth and Fyson coming up immediately. Witness then went and summoned the police and doctor. Asked by the coroner what happened after deceased took hold of the post the second time, witness replied thatdeceased just turned over face downward in the water and let go an< f sank. Deceased did not speak as far as witness knew. Dr. J. McGhie stated that he received a telephone message at 5.35 p.m. to go to Ohawe beach and to bring the police, as there was a ease of drowning. Witness called up the police station, and, accompanied by Constable Mullan, proceeded to the beach. On arrival witness found Mr Fyson rendering artificial respiration on a woman fully clothed. She - was apparently dead. ' Witness administered a stimulant and continued artificial respiration, but without avail. In witness’s opinion everything possible had been done bv Messrs Fyson and Duckworth and Nurse Henwood. Death was due to asphyxia, caused by drowning. As far as witness could see there were no marks of violence.

Albert K. Fyson, giving evidence, said that while on the beach his attention was attracted by Mr Trask, who was waving his arms and informed witness that someone was in difficulties in the swimming pool. When witness arrived at the pool he saw a woman floating face downwards in the deep water. With the assistance of Duckworth he got the body ashore. Witness and Duckworth, assisted by Nurse Henwood, carried out artificial respiration, and continued until the arrival of the doctor and police. There was apparently no sign of life, the body being inert when taken from the water. Deceased was fully clothed with the exception of shoes and hat. The doctor and police arrived about three-quarters of an hour after the body was taken from the water. Kenneth Charles Duckworth corroborated Mr Fyson’s evidence. Mary Henwood, a nurse at the public ‘ hospital, also gave evidence as to assisting in the endeavour _to revive deceased by artificial respiration, concluding by stating that everything possible had been done for deceased. A native woman, resident at Ohawe, said that at- about 11.30 n.m. she noticed a woman walking along the beach towards the river. She was a stranger, and was dressed in similar clothes to the person taken from the water. Witness spoke to the woman, who said “Hullo!’’ Witness replied with the same remark. Witness did not speak further. Witness did not notice anything strange, but the woman carried a brown paper parcel and xv bag or purse. Witness did not see the woman again until after the drowning, and recognised her as the woman site snake to in the morning. Wit ness was confident deceased was the same woman she had seen that morning. Constable Mullan also gave evidence, corroborating that given by previous witnesses. The police evidence showed that several telegrams had been received regarding deceased, who was reported missing from her home in Feilding.