An inquest took place on Saturday regarding the tragic death of Mary Anne Wallace, a young woman who drowned in a Limerick canal. Details emerged that she and several others were dancing near the water when Wallace became dizzy and fell in. Witnessing the fall, a man named John Blake immediately jumped in to rescue her, even without taking off his clothes.

Despite his best efforts, Blake managed to grab Wallace’s hand, but eventually had to let her go due to her struggles in the water. The inquest concluded with a verdict of accidental drowning. Both the Coroner and the jury commended the bravery exhibited by John Blake in attempting to save the victim.

BERWICKSHIRE NEWS AND GENERAL ADVERTISER – TUESDAY 01 APRIL 1902