DROWNING FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1929, Page 4

DROWNING FATALITY

PLUCKY RESCUE EFFORTS

Ail inquest was hol’d at the Police Otlwe, iiointika, yesieiday afternoon, touching the death of Anton Matich, aged 28, whose drowning was reported ;n yesterday’s issue. Air D. J. Evans, Coroner, presided. Sergeant King led the evidence of .lack Sarich, who stated along with Matich the .air shooting on Lake Mudgec. At the lakeside they separated, one going to the left and

oilier to the right. ; Three swans appeared, and eventually Matich fired twice, two swans falling into the lake •ibout 3d yards from the shore. -Matich removed his trousers and waded out some distance, but witness called him back. Then Matich- stripped and swam out. He was a good swimmer and had-to swim about three chaiqs, tiie wind drifting the birds from the shore. When returning with the swans and about halfway, Matich called out he was stuck, and he released the swans. He then called out lie was bogged. Sfirieh at once went to the rescue. He stripped and entered the water, and saw Matich’s head about 150 yards away. dps bands were moving as though swimming. 'When Sarich reached the spot the man had disappeared. Sarich swam round without result and had to rest on a silver pine branch' to clear long grass weeds from his arms and body. He resumed the search, after a brief rest without seeing any sign of the body. Then made for,the shore and went back to the c-anip to cr.ii his other mates. Guigich and Barron accompanied him back, and witness and ’Gugieh both went into the lake. Sarich went the full distance, and Gugieh about halfway, but there was no trine, and the search vns given up and the matter reported to the Police. The water was very cold and the weeds were very troublesome when swimming. The deceased had been here since January, though iii New Zealand ,!for fourteen years. He was in good health. Sergeant Ring detailed • particulars ol the recovery of the body yesterday morning. A raft was constructed, and the body found in ten feet of water about 50 yards from the shore. Pound Ivi.b arms --ter w«ed was twined tightly and also round ;the nkh -. ' t ■-•id • dJOWty was experience l in relearn" the weed from the body. There were no marks of violence oil the body. The clothes of deceased were found at the lakeside, together with his gun. There wore two empty cartridge shells on the bank and one loaded cartridge In tlie gun. The appearance of the body showed every indication of drowning’. The' Coroner stated he found Die deceased was accidentally drowned in Lake Mudgoo, Kawaka, on the 28tli inst.

The Coroner specially commended the plucky efforts'of the witness, J. Sarich, in his attempts to help bis mate. It was evidently a matter; of considerable risk. The fact that Sarich went out a second time after a hazardous experience on the first attempt, made the action the more commendable, and he would '-ring the plucky action of the witness under tiie notice of the authorities. •

Sergeant King agreed that the efforts by Sarich wore worthy of special commendation, as there was serious risk involved. Sergeant King also acknowledged the ready assistance ,rj V on by Mr Guthrey and others in the recovery of the body, and the help ill having it brought into the Morgue.