DROWNED IN HARBOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 June 1926, Page 8

DROWNED IN HARBOUR

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

An inquest into the death of Frederick Otten, an elderly man. who was found drowned near the Marine Parade on Friday morning, was held before the District Coroner, Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., on Saturday morning. Senior-Sergeant Fahey conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Isabella Otten, widow of deceased, residing at 7 Latter Street, Tlmaru, said that she last saw her husband alive on Thursday night. Witness heard him leave in the morning sometime between seven and eight o’clock. Deceased was in the habit of going down to the wharf three or four morning a week to collect wood. On the Thursday deceased was in his usual health. Witness had previously warned him not to go near the edge of the water, as on One occasion he had fallen ~ in. Deceased was subject to giddiness. Deceased was seventy years of age. They had been married about 4ft years. David Mills, fish dealer, residing at 5 Butler Street, stated that he knew the deceased, and last saw him. at about nine o’clock on Friday, when he passed the fish mart on the wharf proceeding in the direction-of the marine, parade. Witness had often seen 'him during the past ; five years. Deceased was in the habit of walking among the rocks .in , search of firewood. Alfred George Foster, residing at Thomas Street, stated that he was. on the marine parade at about eleven., o’clock on Friday morning, when he saw the body of a man in the kelp ; near the ' rocks. He went down on to the rocks, but the body was too far out to reach, so he immediately rang the police. There was no movement in the body, and life was ob--1 viously extinct. Constable Heron came along and witness assisted him. to drag the body out of the water. Witness had often noticed the deceased on the waterfront. William Fea, medical practitioner, stated that he was called to the harbour at about eleven o’clock on Friday morning,,and found deceased lying on the marine parade. The body had been in the water, and life- had ’ evidently been extinct for at least an hour. Appearances indicated that - death had been caused by drown- , jng. Constable Heron gave evidence as to taking the body from the water. ; The Coroner said that there was : no doubt what had happened.. De- > ceased had evidently taken a giddy . turn and fallen in, and being an elderly man was unable to get out. A verdict of death from drowning \ was returned.