MAN DROWNED
SWIMMING IN ASHBURTON RIVER
BODY FOUND ON SHINGLE BAR.
NO WITNESS OF ACCIDENT.
A tragedy occurred in the Ashburton River yesterday afternoon. Clad in a bathing costume, Mr Kenneth George Leonard, a single man, a labourer, aged 23, of Leeston Street, Ashburton, was found drowned about one mile below the traffic bridge. Mr D. W. Dakers, of Ashburton, who was walking along the bank of the river, below Carter’s Terrace, on the Tinwald Side, at about 4.30 p.m., saw the body lying face down in about 18 inches of water on a shingle bar in the main stream. He reported the fact to the police and the body was recovered by Sergeant .1. F. Cleary. The drowned man’s identity was not established until 9 o’clock last night, when relatives reported that Mr Leonard was missing.
The deceased was a step-son of Mr J. Broker, of Leeston Street. He went bathing earlier in the day, and was seen swimming by his small stepbrother, who left him but returned about 6 p.m., when Leonard was missing. -Ashburton Guardian, 13/2/1939.
DEATH BY DROWNING
BODY FOUND IN ASHBURTON RIVER
A verdict that death was caused by drowning, apparently after having had a seizure while bathing, was returned by the Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst) yesterday at the inquest on Kenneth George Leonard, aged 23, a single farm labourer, of Leeston street, Ashburton, who was found drowned in the Ashburton river on Sunday afternoon, clad in a bathing costume.
Grace Caroline Broker, mother of Leonard, said her son was in good health, but was subject to epileptic fits during the last three years. The attacks were sudden, and were caused by sunstroke, which he suffered while harvesting about three years ago.
David William Dakers, an insurance agent, gave evidence of finding the body on a small shingle bar in about 18 inches of water.
Stanley Edward Hortin, woollen mills employee, said he was swimming in a hole six feet deep in the Ashburton river with Leonard and others. He saw Leonard swim to the middle of the stream and sit on a log in the water. Leonard then appeared to be quite normal. A few minutes later witness left the riverbed and went home.
Sergeant J. F. Cleary said that when he recovered the body it contained froth in the mouth and nostrils. -Press, 14/2/1939.
DEATH FROM DROWNING.
CHRISTCHURCH. February 14.
A verdict that death was caused by drowning, apparently after having had a seizure while bathing, was returned by the Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst) yesterday at the inquest on Kenneth George Leonard, aged 23, a single farm labourer, of Teuton Street, Ashburton who was found drowned in the Ashburton river on Sunday afternoon, clad in a bathing costume. -Hokitika Guardian, 14/2/1939.
FUNERAL NOTICES
LEONARD — The Funeral of the late Kenneth George Leonard will leave his mother’s residence, 33 Leeston street, Ashburton, To-day (Tuesday), February 14, at 3 p.m., for the Ashburton Cemetery.
Baker Bros., Shaw, and King. -Press, 14/2/1939.
No comments:
Post a Comment