ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 15 January 1931, Page 10

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING

OAKURA FARMER’S DEATH. ATTEMPT TO' RESCUE SHEEP. After the evidence of Dr. D. E. Brown had been taken at New Plymouth yesterday, the coroner, Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., returned a verdict- that Wilfred Wylam Emslie was accidentally drowned in a dam at the Ahu Ahu Road, Oakura, on January 10. Dr. Brown stated that- when he ar-1 rived lie found several men attempt-' ing artificial respiration at the side of the water. He worked on the body for 30 minutes and then had it removed to the house, where he continued for a further two hours. He saw the sheep, after which deceased was supposed to have gone into the water, in the dam, and later saw it taken out. The body had a bruise on the left forehead, very probably caused by a kick from the sheep during a struggle in the water. It was, a superficial graze only, the ultimate cause of death being drowning. Deceased may either have become entangled in the weeds or have been dazed by the knock on the head. Witness had been informed that Emslie was a moderate swimmer, also that he was a man of bright temperament, in the best of health, and with no worries.