DIVING ACCIDENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 12

DIVING ACCIDENT

CONSTABLE INJURED CONDITION CRITICAL UNCONSCIOUS IN HOSPITAL WATER TOO SHALLOW [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT ] ROTORUA, Thursday Serious injuries were received by Constable Horace George Roberts, aged about 27, of the Rotorua Police Force, when diving from n jetty near tlie sulphur bath at Lake Rotoiti this afternoon. He was admitted to the Rotorua Hospital in an unconscious state, and his condition to-night was critical. Constable Roberts was spending the day on a fishing excursion in company with five friends, Messrs. R. Knight, R. Carnachau, L. Hodges, G. Brassey and Cillan. They had been bathing in the sulphur bath and Constable Roberts, together with Messrs Brassey and Hodges,- decided to swim in the lake. The three men ran along the jetty and dived into the water. In taking a running dive. Constable Roberts apparently lost his balance and on entering the water struck his head on the bottom. The lake at this point is only about 3ft. deep. Tie was assisted to the shore by his two companions, and, as the nearest telephone is at Mouia, lie had to bo taken across the lake in a launch before a call could be put through to the ambulance and doctor. The injured man had been stationed in Rotorua for about 18 months. His father is a member of the police force at Biccarton.