SAD DROWNING ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2562, 3 April 1923, Page 2

SAD DROWNING ACCIDENT.

MAXAWATU RIVER CLAIMS ANOTHER .VICTIM. '

Another unfortunate drowning accident for which the Manawatu River has gained an unenviable reputation, occurred at Foxton on Good Friday evening, when a wellknown local resident, Niels Peter Neilsen, lost his life through falling from a motor launch at the wharf at King’s mill, at the south end of Foxton township. It appears that a launch party consisting of four men and two ladies went out in the early afternoon for a trip to the river mouth, returning at about (i. 30 p.m. On arrival at the mooring place, the other members of the party eommenc6d to proceed to their homes leaving the late Mr Neilsen to complete the covering and securing of the launch, but had not proceeded far when they sensed that something was amiss with their companion. On returning to. the water’s edge they discovered that the deceased had fallen from the launch and had disappeared in the water. Messrs Ardern and Palmer, two members of the party, immediately entered the launch and Ardern stripped off and dived in in an endeavour to rescue the unfortunate man, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Mr Broad, who was in' the vicinity, heard calls, and proceeding to the scene, secured a boat, and assisted by others, commenced to drag for the body, and eventually secured it, but although all means were tried by the police and those present to restore life, Dr Wyllie on arrival, pronounced life extinct. The deceased was a widower, 57 years of age, and had been a resident of Foxton for a considerable number of years. He was a returned soldier and leaves a family of live—four daughters and one son, Mr George Neilsen, Mrs Hardman, Mrs S. C'ox, and two unmarried daughters. The funeral took plaee on Sunday, the Rev. Frank McDonald officiating at the graveside. COROXIAL INQUIRY. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding the accidental drowning of Niels Peter Neilsen, was held in the Court House on Saturday before Mr Alf. Fraser, Coroner.

Hans Peter George Neilsen, labourer, residing at Palmerston X., gave evidence that his father was about 57 years of age. He was a widower and had a family of six children, one son and five daughters. Witness last saw deceased alive at CliYistmas. Deceased usually enjoyed good health. Reinhold Palmer, licensee of the Family Hotel, Foxton, in evidence stated that he knew deceased. Witness went out with deceased in deceased’s launch between two and three o’clock on Friday afternoon. Others on the launch were Messrs O’Reilly, Ardent and two ladies. They went down to the beach, Ardent looking after the.engine, and deceased steering. They arrived hack at Foxton about (i.3U and landed at King's wharf. All left the boat except deceased, and went on up towards the town. Witness was last to speak to deceased. The launch was made fast, to the wharf when witness left. When witness left deceased he was standing on the bow holding on to the wharf with one hand. Deceased was quite sober. There was no liquor on the boat. When some little distance away witness heard the ladies call out: “Peter’s over the side in the water.” Witness and Ardern then went back to the wharf hut saw nothing of deceased. Ardern then dived in and searched for deceased, but without success. Witness was present when the body was i*ecovoied half an hour later. Witness was of opinion that deceased bad ovcibalanced while holding on to the wharf. The boat probably swung out and deceased overbalanced. Witness thought that deceased might have struck his head, as he rose, ou . the bottom of the boat. Deceased' was a swimmer.

Frank O’Rielly, labourer, Foxtnn, deposed Unit he was present at the launch party in question and\corroborated previous witness’ evidence. First thing witness knew of the accident was when they were standing on the roadway past King’s mill, about two chains from the |,oat. Witness heard a noise as if Mr Neilsen was pulling the cover over the engine. One of the women suggested that deceased might have fallen overboard. Witness then wen! hack to the wharf hut found the deceased had, disappeared. Not seeing Neilsen in the boat, witness called out that lie must he in the water, and immediately after, witness saw deceased rise to the surface of the water a few yards from the wharf, hut he disappeared again immediately. Mr Arderu and Mr Palmer immediately jumped into the launch and witness pushed the boat „ut. Ardern then dived in. Witness .then went and notified the police. Witness indicated the spot where deceased sank and the body was subsequently discovered there. John Haplev Broad, labourer, residing at Foxtail, gave evidence that at 0?45 he was at Ross’ mill and heard someone call out that someone was drowning. Witness immediately ran down to the scene and got in a boat, and with others dragged for the body. Within threequarters of an hour witness recovered the body close to the wharf. Neilsen then appeared quite dead. Constable Owen gave evidence that at (1.45 p.m. on the day in question, in consequence of a report that a man had fallen into the river, he went down to King’s wharf

in company with Constable O’Donogliue. On arrival there he found dragging operations were already being carried out by several people and almost at the same time, the body was* recovered by Mr Broad. The body was placed on the wharf and artificial respiration commenced immediately and at the same time Hr. Wyllie was sent for. All possible means were tried to revive deceased, which were continued until the arrival of the doctor. The doctor made an examination and pronounced life to be extinct. The body was then removed to the morgue. \\ ltness made a careful examination of the body but found no traces of violence. There was a small quantity of blood coming from the mouth, about the usual amount in eases of drowning. M itness knew deceased well and he appeared to enjoy the best of health.

. A verdict of accidental drowning was returned.