RIVER FATALITY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 June 1924, Page 9

RIVER FATALITY.

i INQUEST ON LATE MR DUIGAN

By Telegraph—Press Association. WANGANUI, June 20

The inquest concerning the' tragic death of'Mr H. V. Duigan, disclosed that there was nearly a second tragedy. William John Hartwell, a railway porter, of Aramaho, who was getting his boat in near Aramaho bridge, heard a cry like “hev,” further down river. He answered and getting no reply, proceeded down the river bank, where he noticed a lantern alight. He searched for a while, then returned and got his boat and set oil down stream in the dark. He fouled a rope, and his boat capsized. Luckily he caught hold of the rope and dragged himself on to deceased’s launch, from which he was taken in an exhausted condition. Jlartwell was unable "to swim, and the river vas in heavy flood at the time. A verdict of accidental death was leturned, the coroner commending those who assisted, on their promptness.