ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 117, 11 February 1919, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

•. : 9 THE RONA BAY TRAGEDY. CORONER'S -INQDEST.'.' An inquest was held by the coroner, . Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Lance•Sergeant ; Dudley M'Kenzie, who was drowned at Bona Bay on Saturday last. Deceased'went in for a swim' with two friends, Mr. Ernest Hunt,' a well-known city accountant, and Mr. Wilfred F. Harrison, another returned soldier, both of whom, very, nearly lost their lives in attempting to rescue deceased. M'Ken- . zie was a single man, 24 years of age, . and prior to sailing with the Nineteenth Iteinf orcements was engaged in farming . pursuits,at Te Tua, Orepuki,.near Bluff. He had a splendid record as a soldier, and was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in assisting to silenco a "pill-box?' machine-gun crew dur- i tag 'he Passchehdaele battle on October j i, 1917, and also in recognition of his I Rood work as a platoon runner. He was .subsequently promoted to the rank of lance-sergeant. Harrison, who lived near deceased,.sailed with the same draft, .' and returned to New Zealand, with him" •.. on., the ...transport v Tahiti on-January 9. Ernest. William Hunt stated in. evidence that together with deceased and Harrison he went in for a bathe'off Rona Bay at about 3.45 p.m. on Saturday. ■. Deceased could not swim, but witness and Harrison were moderate 6wimmers. The spot where the accident happened was much frequented by bathers, but when they went in swimming a rough sea prevailed, the tide was receding, and a.strong wind was blowing. The water was shallow, and they went out about : twenty-five yards. Witness went on. to relate-how he and Harrison endeavoured' 'to rescue the deceased, and how Harrison and himself became exhausted, and . had to let M'Kenzie go. Witness's chil-, dren gave the alarm to two.men on the beach, and they called the attention of two fishermen, who rowed to the scene', and rescued Harrison who was then floating away in the tide. No sign of the deceased could be found at that i time; : ' ■ • Wilfred Prank Harrison gave evidence on similar lines, and Constable A. Gre- ,.: . gor, temporarily stationed at Eastbourne, Kavc evidence as to ; the finding of the body in the Muritai breach at 9.30 p.m. '•, on Saturday. • After reviewing the evidence,., the coroner said that the occurrence plainly showed the necessity for all to learn to swim, or, at least, to learn to float. Even though he could not swim, a person who could float or tread-water could, •providing he kept his head, keep up till i help was at hand, whereas a person with- ; out (he knowledge of swimming or floating was apt to become flustered, to struggle, and. so quickly exhaust himself and sink before help could reach him.. The efforts made by both Mr. , Hunt and Mr. Harrison were worthy of . the hWiesfc praise. ■.A verdict of accidental drowning was returned. . A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE, MOTOR-CAR PALLS OVER A BANK. By-Telegranh-Preas Association. Hamilton, February 10. A. car driven by.E.'N. Aitken, mail. ; contractor, was coming from Eaglan, and when making a deviation at a bad corner ; in attempting to avoid a collision overturned over a bank, fallingsoto CO.feet. The seven passengers had a miraculous escape, suffering only minor injuries. Aitken and Mrs. West (of Onehunga), and Mrs. Wayte (Eemuera), were brouht ;' in by Mr. Monckton to the AVaikato Hos- .' , pital. Aitken is suffering from shock, bruises, and a cut on the right arm. • , Mrs. West sustained a fractured collarbone and abrasions. .Mrs. Wayte is suffering from bruised rib's. , Miss Pearl O'Keefe, who returned home, had her back injured. The'other passengers escaped with a shaking and minor bruises. ' .CAUGHT BY A,BUSH fire. : : , Wanganui, February 10. The body of. Albert Eaies, aged 21, who . tad been missing for some weeks, was ■ found burned in the bush up the river. • He lost his way while burning bush -and : i-fire. overtook him. ; DROWNING JATALITY. ' Hamilton, February 10. Peter Haldane was drowned while ■; bathing at To.Rapa. .