KAITAIA DROWNING TRAGEDY

Northern Advocate, 3 February 1936, Page 2

KAITAIA DROWNING TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

I Special to ”Northern Advocate.’’} KAITAIA, This Day.

Mr L. A. Mclntosh, coroner, held an inquiry into the death of Mr Walter Botterill this morning.

Lionel Gallagher stated that at about 1.30 yesterday morning he went to Miss Albrighton’s bach with deceased, who had voluntarily accompanied him. When they arrived there were 18 inches of water in the bach, and they remained about 45 minutes, placing articles in safe positions. Witness felt the bach moving, and called several times to deceased, who was only three feet away, urging him to leave.

As the bach started to move, witness managed to get outside the door, which was left ajar, and grasp a fence. Witness saw the bach float on an even keel down the river with the light still burning.

The body was found about a mile down the river on Mrs Wild’s farm, over which the remains of the bach, and a number of articles it contained were scattered.

In returning a verdict of accidental drowning, the coroner expressed sympathy with the parents.