DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 701, 21 December 1909, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITY.

A sad drowning fatality took place in the river last evening, by which a young man, 22 years of age, named Sebastin Otl, lost his life. It appears that be went for a swim near the boat sbed, in company with a fellow employee at tbe gas works. His companion swam across tbe river and passed Ott on his way to the shore. Ott managed to swim halfway across, and turned to come back, when he was either seized with cramp or became exhausted. He called for assistance and sank. Marley, his companion, swam to where Ott was seen to sink, and expected him to rise, but he was not seen to again come to the surface. The unfortunate young fellow was seen to disappear by several eye-witnesses who lost no time in an endeavour to locate tbe body, but without success. The police were communicated with, and a large party dragged tbe river up till a late hour last night, but without recovering the body. The body was recovered this morning by Mr S. Peek, near the spot where be was seen to disappear, and removed to the morgue. An inquest will be held this afternoon. The deceased only arrived in Foxton about three months ago, under engagement to the local Gas Proprietary. He had been previously engaged for over three years at the Wellington Gasworks, from where he received very flattering credentials.* His widowed mother resides in Newtown, and the sad intelligence was communicated to her last night. He is an only son and his mother’s principal means of support.