We learn by telegram from Riverton that a lad named Hopcroft, son of Mr Hopcroft, of Gummie's Bush, was drowned on Tuesday, while bathing in a mill dam. -Otago Daily Times, 4/1/1877.
DEATH BY DROWNING.
It is our melancholy duty to record a fatal accident which occurred to a promising young lad named Thomas Bath Hopcroft, son of Mr William Hopcroft, settler, Gummie's Bush, whilst bathing in a mill-dam. We supply the following particulars of the sad occurrence, which were elicited at the inquest held on Wednesday last, at Gummie's Bush, before Dr Monckton, District Coroner, and a jury of thirteen, of which Mr A. McNaughton was elected foreman.
William Walker deposed: I am a settler residing at Gummie's Bush. I have seen the body and I identify it as Thomas Bath Hopcroft, aged 14 next birthday. I last saw him alive on the evening of the 2nd of January instant. I then saw him in company with George Knight and George Crisp.
George Knight deposed: I am a labouring man, and am temporarily residing with Mr Hopcroft, of Gummie's Bush. About half-past six on the evening of the 2nd I was in company with Crisp and the deceased, and after some conversation we all three went to the mill dam. The other two then left me, and proceeded to bathe a little further up the dam. I saw Crisp in the water first. He swam across and came back again. When I got up to them, the deceased was standing on the bank with his trousers on. I saw him strip and slide his feet in the water holding on by the tussocks. I told him to come out lest he caught cold. He said all right. I then left him, and went down in the gully out of sight of him to throw a stone at a bird. In about five minutes I went up the bank again, and called to the boy. I did not see him, but Crisp was swimming to the bank, and called out to know where Tom was. I did not see him again till I helped to take the body out of the water, about 6 o'clock the following morning. When we missed the boy, I told Crisp to search for him, as I could not swim, and I went to the mill for assistance. When I last saw him alive, Crisp was swimming about fifty yards away from where he was. I don't think I was more than five minutes away. Thomas, the deceased, could not swim. I last saw him in three feet of water, but a few feet further out there is a very deep hole.
George Crisp deposed: I am a labouring man, and reside at Mr Hopcroft's, Gummie's Bush. I remember the 2nd instant. Knight, Thomas Hopcroft, and myself went to the mill-dam. It was about twenty minutes to eight when we were there. I stript and went in first and had a swim, and left the other two on the bank. I afterwards saw the deceased in three feet of water, holding on to the bank, talking to Knight. I then swam out again, and on returning I lost sight of him and Knight both. When I got out I saw Knight come up the bank in sight, and we both asked one another at the same instant where the boy was. Knight said he was not on shore, and so we supposed he must be under water. Knight then ran for assistance, while I searched in the dam. I did not see him again alive, nor did I see his body found. The boy could not swim. The bank runs down into deep water a short distance from where he stood. I heard no cry and saw no bubbles. I am not a good swimmer. I made every effort in my power to find the body by trying to dive.
Thomas Griffiths deposed: I am a police constable stationed at Riverton. On the 2nd inst., about 9 p.m., I was informed of the loss of the boy Thomas Bath Hopcroft. I obtained a drag, went to the mill-dam, and used it for some time. I then found a boat was necessary, and sent to Riverton for one. I continued the search till 6 the following morning, when the body was found in my presence by the father and mother. It was naked, and bore no marks of violence, except a scratch from the drag-hook.
The Coroner having addressed the jury, they, after a short consultation, returned the following verdict; — "That the said Thomas Bath Hopcroft was accidentally drowned whilst bathing in the mill-dam near Gummie's Bush, on the 2nd January, 1877." -Western Star, 6/1/1877.
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