ACCIDENTAL DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2525, 4 January 1923, Page 2

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING FATALITY.

YOUNG. LAD FALLS OVER THE WtHARF. HEROIC ATTEMPT AT RESCI4.^^ A sad drowning fatality occurred at the local wharf shortly after 6 o’clock on New Year’s night whereby a young lad, George Hetherington Small, 15 years of age, son of Mr and Mrs George Small, of Union Street, lost bis life by drowning. The deceased left bis parents home on the evening in question intending to go for a bicycle ride. He proceeded to the wharf, presumably to .see the holiday-makers arrive from the seaside. He was walking along the wharf near the edge and pushing his bicycle when he spoke to a little boy, Jack Delany, and asked whether the boat had arrived from the seaside. The lad then left deceased and was making for the wharf steps when he heard a cry and turning saw deceased falling into the water with the bicycle. - Clarence Herbert Walls, an exchange clerk at the local post office, heard the cry_as he was proceeding over the railway line and iminediately took off his coat, boots and hat and dived in to assist the deceased, | who had come to the surface. Upon Walls coming to the surface the , | deceased had disappeared for the third time and shortly after deceased’s hat came to the surface. As the water is very deep at the spot Walls could not discover deceased ' who had apparently floated further down. Mr George Hinds, who arrived in the scene about the time when Walls entered the water heard a splash and immediately went for assistanee. Constable Owen, with a band of willing helpers was quickly on the scene and dragged for the body which was discovered about two. hours afterwards at a short distance from the spot where deceased fell in. When the body was recovered artificial respiration was resorted to and continued for about an hour without success. The body was removed to the parents home. It is surmised that deceased tripped on a large iron hook as he was walking along, overbalanced and fell with the bicycle into the water. An inquest was held on Tuesday before Mr Perreau, J.P. and the following jury: Messrs G. Blanche, J. McKniglit, T. Chaffey and A. S. Walsh and a verdict returned of accidental drowning. The fatality east quite a gloom over the township and much sympathy was expressed for the par- _ , ents in their sudden The deceased was in the employ of Messrs Thorpe and Tongs, grocers, and was a bright intelligent lad, and a favourite with all who knew him. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon preceded by a short' service at All Saints’ Church prior to the interment in the local cemetery, the services being conducted by the Rev. Walton. In connection with the above a special word of praise is due to the heroic action of Walls, in his attempt to rescue deceased. Had it not been for the fact that Walls had to dive from a fair height to enter the water, which took a few seconds for him to regain the surface, there was a possibility- that the boy would have been rescued. In any ease Walls’ plucky act is deserving of some recognition by the Royal Humane Society and we hope the Mayor will bring the matter under the Society’s notice.