BATHING FATALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 8

BATHING FATALITY.

MAN DROWNED AT PONSONBY. IN PRESENCE OF FAMILY. RETURNED SOLDIER'S DEATH. A bathing fatality occurred at Sentinel Road beach, Ponsonby, yesterday afternoon, Mr. James Edwards, who lived at 15, Ardmore Road, being drowned in the presence of his three children. Mr. Edwards took his children, whose ages range from five to eight years, to the beach about four o'clock, and after they had been in the water, went in himself for a swim. When he entered the water he went to a rock from which to dive. The children saw him jump off, and noticed that he did not rise to the surface, but they did not realise that anything untoward had occurred. They continued dressing quietly, and, as their father did not reappear, went home and told their mother what had happened. , Mrs. Edwards immediately informed Mr. Patrick Keenan, who proceeded to the scene of the accident in a rowing boat. At the side of the rock he saw the body of deceased lying face down in about 4ft of water. A- bruise was found on the forehead. The body was removed to the morgue, where an inquest will be held this morning before Mr. J. E. Wilson* S.M. Mr. Edwards, who was about 36 years of age, was a returned soldier, having served in the Samoan Garrison for about 2£ years.