VICTIM OF DROWNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 13

VICTIM OF DROWNING.

COMPANIONS NEARBY.

NOT AWARE OF TROUBLE. COMMENT AT THE INQUEST. "This is indeed a strange and unfortunate case; a man drowns in water only a few feet from two grown-up people," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, at the inquest yesterday on Melv.n Loveridge, aged 40, who was drowned in Big Muddy Creek, Parau, on February 25. Deceased was a bullock-driver, residing at Titirangi. It was stated that deceased, with Mr. and Mrs. Archibald F. A. Mac Curdy, of Riddell Road, St. Heliers, went to the creek for a swim. While in the water he splashed about and then disappeared. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Mac Curdy heard any sound from Loveridge, but paid no particular attention to that fact for some minutes.

A boy gave the alarm to a farmer, Mr. Cyril Subritzky, of Parau, who, with his father, galloped to the scene on the one horse. Diving into the stream, Mr, Subritzky brought the body out of about 6ft. of water, but 15 minutes had then elapsed. Medical evidence was to the effect that there were numerous deep abrasions all over the body, and these were fresh and had been caused immediately prior to or after death. The wounds were superficial and would not have caused death, which was due to drowning. As to how the cuts came to be inflicted there was no evidence to show, but the theory was advanced that they had been caused by sticks on the bottom of the stream. A verdict of accidental death was returned.