DROWNED WHEN BATHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19503, 6 December 1926, Page 14

DROWNED WHEN BATHING.

evidence: at inquest. FRUITLESS RESCUE ATTEMPT. [bi telegraph.—own correspondent. 3 DUN'EDIN, Saturday. At the inquest concerning the death of Henry Stephen .Baker, who was drowned at Tomahawk on November 7, and whose body was recovered yesterday, ''James Bannister Simpson said that on November 7 he was at Smaill's Beach with a party, including Baker. At about 11.45 o'clock five of them went in for a swim. Witness was first in and went out 150 yards, intending at first to swim round the island. Ihen he found the current was taking him out too far so he started to come back, a task which took about a quarter of an hour. He did not see the others as he came back. Witness was talking on the beach when he saw Cox, another member of the party, and Baker, about 100 yards out. He went out to Baker and asked if he was all right. Baker said he could not get inshore. Witness tried to tow him but could not manage it. McKewen, a fourth member of the party, came out to help. They both tried to bring Baker in but the waves were too strong and were taking them all the time. McKewen told witness to go for a rope and he would try to hold Baker up.. Going out witness found the current very strong and it took him about a quarter of an hour to get out and be was about exhausted. A man named Wootton grabbed him and assisted him out. Witness then became unconscious. When he recovered Wootton was going in with a rope. Baker was a good swimmer. Sergeant Murray said that at 3 p.m. yesterday he went to Tomahawk Beach with Constable Watkins and found the trunk of a body lying on the sand near the rocks. The coroner said he was satisfied that the body was that of Baker. The inquiry was adjourned until Monday.