A SEASIDE FATALITY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 229, 10 January 1911, Page 8

A SEASIDE FATALITY

DKATII DUK TO HEART FAILURE. An iutjiiiry inlo the cii't-uiii-siiiufes atI cri-lin<> the (loath of Alfred Edwin Pratt Moluroa on Sunday morning was held by Dr. 11. A. McClcland, Deputy-Coroner, and tilt; following jury: .Messrs. .1. I layden (foreman), A. H. Anilmrv, 11. J. M. Weils, 11. C. Evans, Cf. ,S. White, and W. H. Broome. Sergt. lladdrell conducted the enquiry. Frank James Evetls, residing in Hani' street, a 'cousin of deceased, pave formal evidence of identification. lie Hinted that deceased was aged about thirty years. He had formerly been in the marines, from which lie was invalided after rheumatic fever. lie had been in New Plymouth about twelve months, and, an far as witness knew, his health had been good. To the Coroner: Deceased had bieti performing ordinary manual lanor until about three months ago, when he became canvasser for an insurance company. He had never informed witness that any doctor had warned him to be careful of his heart after rlieumatic fever.

Albert Howell, a young man employed as an upholsterer, stated that about 8 a.m. on Sunday he went in for a swim with deceased, whom ho knew by name. Pratt appeared to be in good health when he enteral the water. Witness remained in the water about a quarter of an hour. When witness turned to come out, deceased wjs about two chains away from him, swimming about. Three minutes afterwards he heard Mr. Mail whistling, aiiu. saw hinj bringing deceased in. o then went out and assisted. To a juryman: lie did not hear deceased call for help. James AVilliam Mail, schoolmaster, of .Midhirst, at present camping at Moturoa, deposed that at about a quarter past eight he went in for a swim. He saw deceased swimming about three chains away'. About five minutes later he noticed deceased floating between two breakers about a chain closer in. At first he thought lie was on his back, but almost immediately saw he was on his face. He at once swam out to deceased, who was just out of his depth. A few strokes brought him to shallow water, where he lifted deceased out of the water and called for help The pivwom witness assisting, they got the body asfiore. There was no sign of life, the body being quite limp. Several young fellows came from Humphries' camp, and attempted to resuscitate deceased, witness going for a doctor. To the Coroner: If deceased called for help witness did not hear it. Dr. William Douglas Reid. at present practising in Xew Plymouth, deposed that on Sunday morning, at about a quarter to nine, he received a call to the sea beach. On arrival he found the body of deceased, with a crowd of men around, two of whom were attempting artmcial respiration. He removed the man to a siretelu r, and had his limns chafed and blankets put around him. He continued artificial respiration, and injected ether. From the first he could detect no beating of the heart. The body was not cold, but became so before witness left. There was very little froth about the mouth. The face was livid and tlio tongue swollen. There were no marks of struggling. There was no sign of ri animation from the beginning, although artificial respiration was continued till twenty minutes to eleven. Witness attributed death to heart failure.

The Coroner, in his remarks, said there could be no doubt that death was due to heart failure. There was the fact that deceased was invalided from the army after rheumatic fever, and also that there were no cries for help, or signs of struggling such as should be expected from a young man of that age. He considered that the action of Mr. Mail in going to the rescue so promptly and pltickily was highly commendable. The jury brought in a verdict that death was'due to heart failure, and also added that they considered the pluck and promptitude of Mr. Mail was deserving of the highest commendation.