DROWNING FATALITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27028, 12 March 1949, Page 8

DROWNING FATALITY

COMMENT BY CORONER DANGERS OFF BRIGHTON COAST “ I think it my duty in the public interest to say that the danger of men going out in a boat when it is probably not fitted to go out on that coast cannot be too often stressed,” said Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., sitting as coroner, when delivering his verdict touching upon the death of Hector Loudon Strang, a married man, with four young children, who was capsized from a boat off the coast near Brighton and later died. The coroner’s verdict was that death was due to drowning, coupled with shock and exposure. Evidence was given by Dr A. G. Gilchrist, who said he examined the'body of the deceased when it was brought ashore at Brighton. He was of the opinion that the man was dead when lifted from the boat. Death, he said, was due to exposure and shock. The two companions of the deceased, Stuart Alexander Stevenson and Sydney Walter Freeman, also gave evidence. Both related how the wind sprang up in gusts from the south. They attempted to beach the boat, but it capsized in the breakers. Strang had an inflated car tube and released his hold of the boat. When they later righted the boat and got ashore they saw Strang beyond the line of breakers on his inflated tube. He waved to them.

Evidence concerning the assistance called to the scene, and the ultimate rescue of Strang was given by Sergeant A. S. Chiles. Returning his verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, the coroner said no man should go out in a rowing boat on that particular coast unless it was well conditioned and the men were experienced. He commended all those who had assisted in the rescue.

The inquiry was conducted for the police by Sergeant J. Wilson.

Jean Chisholm, a single woman, aged 23, of Palmerston, was admitted to the Dunedin Hospital yesterday morning and died at about 9 o’clock. An inquest was opened in the afternoon and adjourned sine die.