ANOTHER FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1920, Page 1

ANOTHER FATALITY

DROWNED IN GREY RIVER. Last night, about 11.30, a sailor belonging to the steamer Malaita, named Louis Messer, was going aboard the vessel, when he fell over the wharf. He was missed at once, and it was rightly surmised that he had dropped into the river. The Malaifca’s crew to a man turned out to look ior him, and as soon as possible grappling irons were procured. After an assiduous search, the crew were rewarded by finding the body of Messer in the river almost in exactly the place where lie must have fallen in. The mate was seen to be swimming under the wharf while other members of the crew were also in the water. As soon as possible, the body was got upon the wharf. It had been in the water about 20 minutes. The, crew then applied first aid, and one went and got Dr McKay, who contlnm ed the efforts at resuscitation. The .efforts at resuscitation were continued for a considerable time, but proved unavailing and finally Dr McKay pronounced life extinct. The body was then removed to the morgue. The head of the deceased bore marks of coming in to'con tact with some hard substance, there being abrasions under the chin and over one eyebrow. Messer was a man apparently about 30 years ; ,f age. Probably an inquest will be held to-day. Great .credit is due to the Malaita’s crew for the efforts they made to save their comrade. Some of them swam around the ship Tor a long time, and nothing was left undono to prevent a fatality.—“ Argus.”