A Newton Abbot Drowning Fatality: Boys see their Companion Sink: A drowning fatality occurred at Newton Abbot on Wednesday afternoon. A boy named Samuel Denley, son of Mr. S. Denley, of 2 Greenway’s Cottages, Highweek, thatcher, was bathing with other boys in the River Teign near Teignbridge Cricket field, Newton Abbot when he got out of his depth and not being able to swim went under in the presence of his companions, who saw him drown. The body was recovered from the water about thirty minutes later by Mr. John Scot, a clay cutter who was working in the neighbourhood, came to the spot in consequence of the alarm raised by the boys. The body was afterwards conveyed to the residence of the deceased’s parents:
The Inquest: Mr. Hacker, County Coroner, held the inquest at the Boys’ School, Highweek, on Thursday afternoon, Mr. G. H. Northcote was chosen foreman of the jury. Thomas Denley, a brother, who is a labourer, identified the body. He deposed that the deceased, aged 14, was an apprentice to gardening, and worked at Baker’s Hill. His brother had never learnt to swim. About 4-30 in the afternoon, the witness was in the house with his sister, when two boys came and told him his brother had drowned. The witnesses ran to Pinsent’s marsh and saw some men trying to find the body. It was taken out of the water while the witness was there, and he had it conveyed to the house. His brother had been in the habit of bathing in the river. Witness’s father had cautioned the boy not to go near there.
The coroner: There is no bathing place in the town, is there? Witness: No Sir. The coroner said he hoped they would soon have one. Frederick Hill, aged 14, living In the Exeter Road, and who lately worked for Mr. Cull, stated that he went down the river to see the boys bathing. Witness met the deceased, who said he was going to bathe higher up. Other companions went with him. The witness went there later on and saw the deceased in the water. One boy named Lang walked into deep water and when he came back the deceased said would go out further than that. The witness saw him walk into the water up to his neck. He made an effort to come forward, but he lost his footing and went into deeper water. The witness saw him sink twice, and the last time he never came to the surface again. The witness called for help and a lot of clay cutters came there – Frank Dingle, aged 12, deposed that he knew deceased, who frequently bathed in the river, but lower down from where he was drowned. Deceased went higher up because said other boys were in the water lower down and it was not deep enough there. Other boys were in the water higher up. Witness detailed, like the previous witness, how the deceased walked into deep water and failed to come out of it again.
Thomas Whitear, labourer, who was working about a hundred yards away, stated that on hearing the children shout he came to the spot and went into the water to search for the body. The body was found by his mate, named Scott, who was brought out of a hole seven or eight feet deep, half an hour afterwards.
Alfred Scott, clay cutter, gave evidence as to the finding of the body with the boot hook. The coroner, in reviewing the evidence, said it was a pity that all boys were not taught to swim. Had the deceased been able to swim six strokes he could have saved his life. It was unfortunate no man was there who could render assistance as the width of the river, after all, was very narrow. The boy might have been able to swim had a proper bathing place been provided in the town. The jury returned a verdict of death from accidental drowning.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.