DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1189, 27 December 1913, Page 2

DROWNING FATALITY.

AT MANAWATU HEADS,

A sad fatality occurred at the Manawatu Heads yesterday by which a young man named Harold Eade, a resident of Shannon, lost his life.

It appears that deceased cycled over from Shamion yesterday morning to visit Mr E. Turner and family, who are at present living at the Heads. Deceased accompanied Mr and Mrs Turner along the beach for about two miles to the north of the river, where the party commenced bathing in the surf. Deceased apparently ventured out further than his companions and he was caught in the undercurrent and carried out. Mr Turner immediately gave the alarm and a search was made but no trace of him could be found, until some two hours later when his lifeless body was washed ashore. The accident occurred about noon.

The deceased was a single man, 30 years of age.

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Beach this morning before Mr A. Fraser, District Coroner, when the following evidence was adduced:—

Eustace Campbell Turner, painter, of Palmerston North, stated that yesterday at about 11.45 a.m., he was bathing in the surf at the Manawatu Heads iu company with his wife and the deceased. In the course of bathing deceased had gone about 50 yauis further north than witness and his wife, who wete bathing close inshore. About a quarter of an hour later witness’ wife drew his attention to deceased by remarking on the distance he was from the shore. Deceased was at that time trying to wade to the shore, being breast high in the water. He could not make any headway as the undertow was carrying him still further from the shore and the waves were breaking over him. Witness waded out until he got into the same hole as deceased and then had to struggle back. He got a pair of reins from a cart and went iu again and tried to reach deceased with them but they were too short. Witness then saw deceased disappear under the breakers and that was the last time he saw him alive. Deceased could not swim. Had known him for about 15 years. He had came across to slay at the beach with witness and his wife for a few days.

Alexander Turner, settler, Palmerston North, stated that shortly alter noou yesterday he was told by his son that deceased was drowned- Witness at once went to the scene ol the fatality and waited about the place for some three hours. At about three o’clock he walked about 500 yards further along the beach and discovered the body lying in the surf. With the assistance of bis wife and daughter-in-law he got the body ashore and had it removed to his bouse. Witness had known deceased since be was a little boy. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death by accidental drowning and that no blame was attachable to anyone.