BATHING FATALITY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2361, 18 January 1915, Page 7

BATHING FATALITY

YOUNG LIFE LOST

FRIEND'S .GALLANT ATTEMPT .. AT RESCUE . 'As a result of a bathing accident which occurred in the Hutt River on Saturday' afternoon, Philip.' Pearce, 20 years of age, lost his life. Pearce and' Archibald John Oraig, a friend of about the same'age, went to the river near Trentham at about 3.80 p.m.' WMe they were bathing Pearce, ■who could not swim, got put of his depth, and was very soon in desperate trouble. " His friend Craig went to his assistance, and made a galant attempt to effect'a rescue, but after.a big effort was unable to save him. He got hold of Pearce and endeavoured to get him to shallow water, but Pearce struggled, •and Craig had to let the drowning man go for 1 a while. Pearce sank, and'Craig then-got out of the water and endeavoured to locate his friend from the batik. He dived about six times without result, but at least got the body in a hole about 7ft. deep and brought it ashore. ' Craig imediately endeavoured to restore Pearce He .procured help and then a' doctor was brought to the scene.' .The doctor continued, the efforts at resuscitation for about an hour, ■ but •Pearce was dead.' '„ ~ Mr; D. G. "A.- Cooper, S.M., held .an inquest touching the'death yesterday afternoon,- and- returned a verdict of ac« Cental drowning:.