FALL FROM BRIDGE

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1929, Page 4

FALL FROM BRIDGE

OLD MAX’S DEATH,

I \() I • I;s.T THIS MORNING-

A wide i of accid-Milal death was returned by ihe Coroner, Mr (!. N. Morris S.M., at I lie inquest; held this morning into the circumstances surrounding the deatli of -Mr John Worthington, aged. Sf years, who strayed from ills heme in Clyde Street on the evening of August 3 and was subsequently found dead in Limebnrner Creek.

John Clifford Ishorwood, a grandson of deceased, and who identified the body, stated that deceased had been living with witness’ parents in Clyde Street for the past .18 months. Deceased was suffering from loss of memory and on August 3 he wandered away from home at about 4 p.m., saying ho was going for a. little walk, which he was in the habit of doing. When he did not return home at II p.m. his ab-

sence was reported to the police. In company with neighbours witness searched about the district and on Monday morning was informed by Mr Miles, a. railway ganger of Kioreroa, that a man answering to the description of deceased had been seen at Kioreroa at about 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, tn company with Mr J. Palmer, witness searched Limeburncr's Creek and found the body of deceased, about 100 yards from the railway bridge* among the mangroves, lying' in the mud, the tide apparently having carried the body there. Deceased was fully dressed and there were several bruises and lacerations about his head and face. If appeared that deceased had attempted to cross the railway bridge and fell into the creek, striking the stones close to the bridge. The body was brought back to Whangarci in a dinghy and removed to the morgue. Deceased had previously wandered away from home but had returned during the night. John Robert Palmer, a farmer residing in Raumanga Road, confirmed the previous witness 7 evidence. Charles Sutherland, a police constable, stated that he had received information on the night of August 3 that deceased was missing and inquiries were made at once in the district* but no trace could be found of deceased, Oh August 5 ho was informed that the body had been found and he met Messrs Isherwood ahd Palmer'who brought the body to the Town Wharf and supervised the removal of the body to the morgue. The body was fully dressed with several bruises about the head and face, the left wrist being badly cut, left cheek, ear and forehead bruised and lacerated. The right wrist and forepart. of the skull were also bruised. It would appear that deceased had fallen from the bridge while endeavouring to cross it.

Deceased was a retired engineer, a native of Preston, 'Lancashire, England, and. came to New Zealand about 19 yeans ago. He resided in Auckland until eighteen months ago, when he came to live‘with his daughter Mrs J. Xsherwood of Whangarei. Although advanced in years Mr ‘Worthington enjoyed perfect health, walking feeing his favourite exercise. He is survived by four daughters and one son.