FELL INTO HARBOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12607, 18 November 1926, Page 2

FELL INTO HARBOUR

ELDERLY MAN’S END [ FINDING OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH. The coroner’s inquiry concerning: the death of Thomas Tracey, an elderly man, who fell off the wharf and was drowned on Sunday last, was heard before Mr W. G. Hiddelt, S.M., yesterdav. Michael Patrick O’Hara, a seaman, • gave evidence that he noticed the de--1 ceased sitting on a wharf stringer. • Tracey wus dozing at the time, and witness warned him to be careful that he did not fall into the harbour while asleep. The deceased replied: “All right, mate.” Witness said that he went for » stroll, but later saw the old man fall backwards into the water. Someone jumped in after him. ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION OF NO AVAIL William Kingston, a seaman, said that he noticed a man floating face downwards in the harbour near the stern of the Kurow. which was lying at No. 16 berth, Jervois quay. Witness immediately jumped into tho water and turned the deceased on to his back. A boat was put out, and artificial respiration was applied while he was being taken ashore, hut without avail. The ooroner returned a finding of accidental death through drowning. Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., also commended Kingston upon his jumping into the water in an attempt to rescue the deceased, The coroner remarked that he had done his best to save the ■fc. ol *he deceased.