ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 24 October 1912, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

DROWNING FATALITY

fPer Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 23. At Coalgate yesterday, the District Coroner conducted an inquest touching the death of John Allinson.

Joseph Taylor stated that he and thodeceased were labourers employed at Mt. Algidus station. On Saturday last, deceased and witness left the station on horseback about six o'clock in the morning to come down to Christchurch. At Wilberforco river they .looked for a ford and came to a place where there were horse tracks Deceased suggested that they should cross there, but witness demurred, as ho believed it would be too dangerous. Deceased said. "Well, chance it." and went into the river. Before he had gone far both he and the"horso had disappeared. Deceased stuck to the horse for fifty or sixty yards, and was then washed down the stream. Where the accident happened the Wilberforco river runs very fast. Witness could do nothing to help deceased, who was wearing a heavy overcoat. W. Logan, station manager, gave evf~ dence as to the finding of the body in the Rakp.ia seven miles from where it went in. The Wilberforce was a dangerous river, and at the point where the deceased tried to cross was particularly ho. A verdict was returned that deceased was accidentally drowned.