A FIREMAN’S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1921, Page 7

A FIREMAN’S DEATH.

DROWNING ACCIDENT. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. The death from drowning of a fireman named Hugh Mackin, who belonged to the ship Austral-crag, at present lying at the New Plymouth wharf, was the subject of an inquest held yesterday by the Coroner (Mr. C. <R. Orr Walker, S.M.). The accident took place on Wednesday evening, the circumstances pointing to the fact that Mackin fell over the side of the wharf while returning to his ship. He was about 47 years of age, and married. His family reside in Glasgow. The first witness was Captain F. J. Ogilvie, of the Australcrag, who said Mackin was engaged in Melbourne in October of last year . He was not a steady man, being addicted to drink. There was nothing that witness knew of which would make the wharf dangerous.

Cedric J. Beck, second officer of the Australcrag, said that on the night of the accident he saw Mackin on the gangway of the s.s. Flora. Witness spoke to him, saying, “You are on the wrong ship, aren’t you,” and he replied, “Yes, sir, lam going back to my own.” Witness had proceeded up the wharf a few yards when he heard a splash, and, going back, had a look over the wharf, thinking Mackin might have got into “the ditch.” He could not see anything and gave the alarm <?n his ship (the Australcrag). He then went over the side of the wharf again with a light, and after a short search found the body floating about, and, with the help of a seaman from the Flora, it was brought ashore. This would be about twenty minutes from the time he heard the splash. Artificial respiration was tried unsuccessfully for about an hour, and the police and ambulance, who were also telephoned for, arrived on the scene. As far as he knew a doctor was also sent for. The coroner commented that it appeared rather strange the body did not sink. An able seaman from the Flora, Gustave Nelsson. who helped to get the body out of the water, said it was found between the Flora and the wharf; the spot was a good bit clear of the gangway. Constable S. Small said that he proceeded to the wharf on being informed of the mishap, and efforts to resuscitate were in progress when he arrived, and werte continued for a further quarter of an hour. He understood the ambulance department at the hospital communicated with the hospital medical superintendent. The body of Mackin bore no particular marks of violence except a lump on the back of the head. The wireless operator on the Australcrag, V. E. Stanley, who was on the scene prior to the recovery of the body, also gave evidence. The finding of the coroner was that Mackin met his death by drowning, and that everything possible was done to recover the body and resuscitate same.