COLONEL DEES FOB SON

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4229, 8 October 1935, Page 2

COLONEL DEES FOB SON

How a colonel had a fatal heart attack while rescuing his son, who had got out of his depth when bathing, was described at the Bognor inquest on Lieutenant-colonel -John English aged 54, quarter-inaster ot the Middlesex Regiment, Mill Hill, London. Mrs Mary Eileen English told the coroner that she, her husband, and their two boys went to Bognor tor the day. While the boys were playing ball in the water she heard a shout and saw them in difficulties. Mr Christopher Gray, a bathing hut proprietor, explained that on hearing u shout he rushed down to the water and, with his brother, pushed out a boat. When he got to the spot Colonel English was lying on the water face downward, and the boys were sting' thought the best plan would be to get the man’s head above water, went on Mr Gray, “ mid passed my arm under his neck and held the strap of his costume.” He got the man into the boat, pulled in the two boys, and brought all three to the shore. Artificial respiration was tried in the case or the father, hut without avail. A doctor stated that he found fatty degeneration of the heart and sclerosis, and in the sudden shock or exertion the heart would be liable to fail. The coroner recorded a verdict of “ Accidental death while trying to rescue one of his sons.” He added that Colonel English must be praised for his efforts. Ho also commended Ml Grav for his rescue.