BATHING FATALITY
(By Telegraph. — Press Association.) OAMARU, 10th January.
While bathing in the Kakanui Rivar at Gemmell's Crossing this morning, Joyce Fraser, a 13-year-old High-School girl, was apparently overcome by a seizure and sank. Her body was recovered in a few minutes, but artificial respiration proved unavailing. -Evening Post, 11/1/1932.
GEMMELL’S CROSSING FATALITY
An inquest touching the death of Joyce Fraser, who was drowned in the Kakanui River at Gemmell’s Crossing on Sunday, was held before the coroner (Mr W. H. Frith) yesterday. Sergeant Hall conducted the inquiry.
Mrs Evelyn Maude Latimer gave evidence of identification, and stated that deceased was her niece, Joyce Fraser, aged 13 years 11 months. On Sunday about 11 a.m. she met deceased at Gemmell’s Crossing, when she was then changing into her bathing costume. Witness did not see her enter the water, but a few minutes later she heard that Joyce had got into difficulties in the river. A young man named Eric Thorp dived in and recovered the body, and artificial respiration was applied, but without success. Deceased always enjoyed good health, and was a fairly good swimmer, having obtained a certificate for swimming 50 yards. Dr Fitzgerald gave medical testimony that when he arrived at the scene of the tragedy artificial respiration had been carried out for half an hour. Witness continued artificial respiration for about half an hour without avail.
Ivan Gilbert Nicholas Jackman, farmer, Totara, stated that deceased and her cousin, Jean Latimer, entered the swimming pool below the bridge about 11.30 a.m. Someone threw a tennis ball into the water, and deceased swam out and brought it to the bank. The ball was again thrown in, and deceased swam out and got hold of it. She appeared to be swimming well, when she suddenly caught hold of her nose with one hand, and threw her other arm above her head. He had heard she was a good swimmer, and thought that she was only playing, until he heard her call out. She sank three times, and then disappeared. He could not swim himself, and gave the alarm, and a few minutes later Eric Thorp dived in and recovered the body. Deceased had been in the water about 15 minutes.
Eric John Thorp, wool classer, Pukeuri, stated that he was walking towards the fishing reserve when he heard some person calling out at the swimming pool He made straight to the river bank, and saw that something was wrong. He swam to an island in the middle of the river, and a boy on the bridge pointed into the water and said “There she is.” He immediately dived into the river, but he could see no sign of anybody. He dived again, and saw the body of a girl lying on the river bed. He got her by the hair and brought her ashore. He started artificial respiration immediately, and several other persons there also assisted him. About five minutes after artificial respiration had been started, the girl’s pulse started to beat and lasted for a few minutes, and, although they continued until after the arrival of Dr Fitzgerald, they were hot successful in getting her round. He estimated that the girl’s body was lying in about 20 feet of water.
The coroner said it was an unfortunate case, and returned a verdict that Joyce Fraser was accidentally drowned whilst swimming at Gemmell’s Crossing. He commended the last witness on his efforts in recovering the body. It was unfortunate they had been unable to bring her round.
Sergeant Hall stated that Thorp had been a member of the Bondi Surfing Club, and was experienced in life-savins methods. Everything that could have been done was done by him. The coroner expressed his sympathy with the mother of the girl, and his regret at the occurrence. -Otago Daily Times, 12/1/1932.
At the annual meeting of. the Pirata Ladies’ Hockey Club a motion of sympathy was passed with the relatives of a late member of the club, Miss Joyce Fraser. -Otago Daily Times, 26/2/1932.
Oamaru Cemetery.
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