TOMAHAWK FATALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19965, 6 December 1926, Page 16

TOMAHAWK FATALITY.

THE INQUEST OPENED. An inquest concerning the death of Henry Stepnou naker, who was drowned whilist battling at Smaill's Beacn on iNovernoer t last, was operni at the Morgue on Saturday morning, iVir J. U. Jiartholc 'w, S. M., sitting as- coroner. Sergeant Murray represented the police. dames Bannister Simpson said that on November V lie was at amahl s Deacn with a party, which included Henry atepnen Uaker. the deceased. 'Hie deceased was a single man, a clerk by occupation, and resided at 15 Park terrace. At about 11.45 on November i live members ot the party wont in for a s im, all being able to swim. Witness was the tirst to enter tho water, and went out about 150 yards, his original intention being to swim round the island. Ho lound tho curren was strong, and that it >vas taking him out too tar, so he at once made elicits to t back. It took him about 15 minutes to regain the beach. When he looked seawards ho saw Cox and Baker a >out lOC yards out. Witness went out to Baker, and inquired if he was all right. Baker said he could not get inshore. Witness tried to tow him. but was not successful. M'Kewen then came out to lend a hand, and both tried to bring deceased in, but the current against them was too strong. All three were being carried seawards. M'Kewcn then asked witness to get a rope, and meantime he would try and hold Baker up. When swimming towards the shore witness found the current • ery strong, and it took him about a quarter of an hour to get to the shore, and he was about exhausted when he reached safety. Wootton assisted him out. Witness then became unconscious. When he recovered Wootton was going into the water with a rope. Deceased was a good swimmer. The ’athing costume he had been shown-at t u mortrue was similar to the one Baker was wearing when he was drowned. Sergeant Murray, in evidence said that at 3 p.m. on Friday last he went to Tomahawk Beach with Constable Watkins, and found the trunk of a man’s body lying on the sand near the ’•<vks. He bad it removed to the Morgue, and the bathing costume was taken off. No one bad been reported as missing from the locality for about 18 months. The remains had ob viously been in t 1 water for some weeks. Tho Coroner said be was satisfied that the body was that of Ho then adjourned — 1