FALL TO DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 9

FALL TO DEATH

PIG-HUNTING TRAGEDY MAN’S SKULL FRACTURED (Per United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 25. Losing his footing on a rain-sodden surface, Frank Martinelli, a single man, aged 29, of Wellington, fell 50 feet to his death, near Matau, in Eastern Taranaki, yesterday. He was engaged in a pig hunt when the accident occurred. Martinelli gave chase to a pig which the dogs were pursuing in a gully. Rain was falling heavily, and the ground was dangerously slippery. Making his way down the face of a cliff, he lost his foothold and fell. When his companions, who were about 100 yards away, reached the bottom of the cliff they found that Martinelli’s skull was badly fractured. He probably died instantly. E. McCoard, one of his companions, set out for assistance, and returned about 4.30 p.m. with Mr N. Jensen and his two brothers. Constable Hughes arrived from Stratford later. Three hours and a-half were required to carry the body through several miles of rough country to Matau. Martinelli was employed by the P. and T. Department, and lived at 70 Majoribanks street, Wellington. He was a well-known violinist, and had taken an active interest in musical societies. He had made a number of pig hunting trips to Taranaki. In 1916, Martinelli’s father, Mr F. Martinelli, was drowned in Wellington Harbour while attempting to save his son Frank from a similar fate.