DROWNING CASE AT THE HUTT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 13

DROWNING CASE AT THE HUTT.

Inspector Thompson received information on Sunday from Constable Harnett, of the Hutt, of a melancholy case of drowning. It appears that shortly after noon, John Randell, aged 23, a felltnonger, went for a bathe in the Hutt River with a companion named George Parker. They entered the river about half a mile above the bridge, at a spot known as Clay Point. Both young men had swam across the river, and were returning when Randell sank before Parker could render him any assistance. The deceased, who was only married on Christmas Day, was a most sober, industrious, and energetic young man, and was widely esteemed, and great sympathy is expressed inj the district for his unfortunate widow. INQUEST. Mr H. W, Robinson (District Coroner) held an inquest at the residence of Mrs Tocker, at the Lower Hutt, on Monday, upon the circumstances connected with the death of John Randell. The first witness called was Francis Tocker, who deposed that the deceased was his brother in-law, and at about 11.45 am on Sanday deceased asked witness to go with him for a swim in the ETufcfc River, at a place called Clay Point. Witness declined, as he had previously been in the water, and he went away with George Parker, with whom he had promised to go out for a

walk. Deceased was in hia usual health, was 25 years of age, and was an average Bwimmer. The river was slightly swollen, and where deceased bathed was about 50 or 60yds wide and was from 10 to 20ft deep in some parts, whilst in others it was quite shallow. There were a few snags in the river, but they could be seen and avoided. Shortly after arriving home a message came that Randell was drowning. He immediately rushed to the river, stripped, and dived in, but could not find the deceased. A man named John Pringle also dived, but could not find him. Mr Trevethick improvised a drag with fish hooks attached, and in this means the body was recovered at about 20 yards below the spot where the deceased was bathing. The body was then removed to Mrs Tocker’s. George Parker deposed that he and the deceased decided to go for a bathe ; they swam across the river at Clay Point, and when reaching the opposite side they amused themselves by jumping on the sand two or three times, and after the lapso of a few minutes he started to swim back. Witness thought that deceased was following, and when nearly across he heard the deceased call “ George.” Witness saw him sink twice, and at once swam to him, and when about fifteen feet from deceased he sank for the third time. He immediately went and called the last witness, and in company with him ha dived for the deceased, but could not find him. Witness was not a good swimmer, Deoeased was quite sober. After a short deliberation the jury, of whom Mr Richard Pierce was foreman, returned a verdict of accidentally drowned. Great sympathy was expressed with the widow and family of the deceased.