“TRAGIC CASE”
Death Due to Drowning "This is one of the most tragic cases I have been associated with since I have held the position of coroner,” said Mr A. W. Woodward, J.P.. yesterday when returning a verdict that the death of Mrs Mavis Ann McNeill was due to drowning caused by a slip on the Waianakarua river bed on July 25. “It was perfectly natural for anyone to walk down to the river to see it in its flooded condition,” Mr Woodward said, " and I have not the slightest doubt that Mrs McNeill, knowing the state of the river and the height of the bank, would not be the one to take any undue risk." Dr R. S. Melson, house surgeon of the Oamaru Public Hospital said that in his opinion death was due to drowning. Constable J. Johnson, Hampden, said he received advice that the deceased was missing from her home. He inspected a portion of the Waianakarua river bank about a quarter of a mile from the deceased’s home, and found that it had slipped into the river. The bank was straight up and down and it was approximately 70 feet from the top to the river. At 5.15 p.m. he was informed that the deceased’s bodv had been found about a mile and a-half downstream. Apart from small abrasions on each knee there were no outward signs of injury.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 26853, 18 August 1948, Page 3
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233“TRAGIC CASE” Otago Daily Times, Issue 26853, 18 August 1948, Page 3
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