INQUEST ON CHINESE YOUTH WHO DROWNED IN THE RANGITIKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 December 1950, Page 8

INQUEST ON CHINESE YOUTH WHO DROWNED IN THE RANGITIKEI

TAIHAPE, Last Night (OC).—An inquest concerning the death of Kenneth Wong, who was drowned in the Rangitikei River on Sunday afternoon while on a fishing expedition, was held before the district coroner, Mr E. Loader, at Taihape this evening, when details of the tragedy were related by Terence O’Brien, of Utiku, aged 15 years, who was present when Wcng was swept away by the current and disappeared. Evidence was also given by Constable L. Hansen, of Mangaweka, who assisted in. the dragging operations, which resulted in the recovery of the body about 300 yards below the spot where the youth disappeared. Terence Joseph O’Brien said that on Sunday, December 17, he and Kenneth Wong decided to go fishing in the Rangitikei River. Wong fished for about an hour on the Utiku side and then they forded the river to the opposite bank. “We had no difficulty in crossing, as the ford was a good one and we crossed diagonally downstream. Wong fished until 'about 3.45 p.m and we decided to cross to the Utiku side.” declared witness. “By then the river had risen slightly so I stripped off tj cross and test the current. I made several attempts before I managed to cross. I then suggested to Wong that I cross over for his gear and that he could return over the P< taka Flats to the Rangitikei bridge at the meeting of the waters. Wong suggested that I ti;y the crossing again so I crossed over to him. I was able to ford the river without swimming. I then commenced to cross back to the Utiku side and when I was about halfway across Wong said that he would cross. I returned to him and obtained my clothing and he took off his watch, and put It under his hat. Wong looked for a stick to assist him, but could not find one, so I gave him mine. We had to ford diagonally upstream to keep to the shallow part of the ford. I was ahead. FEELING THE DEPTH

“I looked back and saw Wong feeling the depth of the water with his stick so I called out and asked if he was all right. He told me to keep going land that he was going to swim to the bank. I noticed him swimming toward the bank and saw hint lose his hat. He then had his fishing rod and the stick, in his left hand. He then arrived at the bank, which was about three feet high, sheer, and bare of foliage. “I saw him clutch at the bank and go under. I then swam to the bank and got out of the river. I looked down the river and saw Wong reappear from under the surface. He appeared to be choking and slightly blue in the face. He made a clutch at a small tree hanging from the bank, but missed and then went under the water. SEARCHED FOR WONG. "That was the last I saw of him. I went along the bank and searched for him for about five minutes, but failed to see him so I went for assistance,” said witness- "I met a shooting partyon the cliffs above the river and informed them of what had happened. I was present when the body was recovered at about 2 p.m. on December 19 at a spot about 300 yards below where I saw him disappear several times. "When Wong attempted to cross the river he was wearing shirt, trousers and heavy boots. Around his shoulders he was carrying a bag containing fishing gear. Wong was a good athlete and swimmer,” concluded witness. Constable L. Hansen, of Mangaweka, gave details of the draggingoperations and added that the body was located near the bottom of a hole in about Bft. of water. The body presented a normal appearance, consistent with drowning. The coroner returned a verdict of death by drowning and expressed sympathy with the parents of Wong.