TRAGIC ENDING

Northern Advocate, 7 November 1932, Page 4

TRAGIC ENDING

TO PISHING EXCURSION. DRAMATIC RACE AGAINST TIaTE. .MAN DIES AS LAUNCH BERTHS. A fishing excursion to the Hen and Chickens yesterday ended in a tragedy, following a dramatic race against time to save the life of one of the party. James Foley, aged G2, a married man, collapsed and died ."just as the launch berthed at the Town Wharf, after making the trip from the Hen in four hours. The party left Whangarei in the launch Alwyn shortly before 3 a.m. yesterday, for a day’s hapuka fishing at the Hen. They struck heavy seas when they got outside, and all but two of them were sea-sick. Mr Foley was particularly bad when the launch was half way across the open stretch between the Heads and the Hen.

He seemed to recover somewhat, but after the launch was anchored off the .island he said he was not feeling too well, and lay down. The rest of the party started fishing, but shortly before 9 o’clock it was found that Mr Foley was getting worse and it was decided to run for port. Exceptionally heavy seas tvere cn countered on the way back, but. the launch was pushed along as fast as she would go. Exactly four hours after leaving the Hen, the Alwyn was tied up at the wharf. One of the party went to call Dr Goodwin, but before the medical man could arrive, Mr Eoley had collapsed and died.

Mr Foley came from Auckland, whore his wife and family of five are now living For the past few months lie had been working for Whangarei Bakeries, Ltd. An inquest was held before the district coroner, Mr H. C. Hemphill, this afternoon, and a verdict that death was due to heart failure was returned.