PIG-HUNTING TRAGEDY
FATAL FALL TOWN GULLY VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH (Per United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 26. A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest "at Stratford today into the death of Frank Martinelli, who fell 50 feet to his death near Matau, East Taranaki. while pighunting on Sunday.
Alfred Inder described how Martinelli followed the dogs into the bush to see what they were barking at. Inder heard a crash, and subsequently Martinelli's body was found in a gully. The deceased must have slid 100 feet before falling. Help was secured, but it took three hours to get the body out of the bush.
The tragedy recalls an accident in which the father of the victim lost his life in Otago Harbour in 1916. A party of friends, including Mr Martinelh and his son Frank, were in a boat which capsized off Ross Point. The father saved his son, but was unable to save himself, and died of heart failure. The other members of the party were rescued. Mr Martinelli was one of the most accomplished violin leaders in New Zealand at that time, and conducted Fullers' Orchestra at the Princess Theatre. His son was also a violinist.
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Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 7
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202PIG-HUNTING TRAGEDY Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 7
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