Swordfish
p. 84 · Read in the full issue
Samoan Boy Killed By
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 4.
AN unusual fatality occurred on June 2 at the Upolu West Coast village of Leauva’a. when a 15-year-old Samoan boy, Etuale Totua, was killed by
a swordfish while out fishing at night with four other boys of his village.
Etuale was paddling his canoe while the other boys were spearing fish ahead of the canoe by the light of a benzine lantern. Suddenly they heard Etuale call out, “My eyes, my eyes, I am blinded,” and saw him fall into the sea.
When they got him out of the water he was unconscious. In the bottom of the canoe the boys found a small sword fish called in Samoan, “anaanalagi” with a 4-mch, sharp-pointed snout or sword.
It had attacked the boy and pierced his eye and brain with its sword.
The boy was immediately taken ashore and sent to Apia Government Hospital, but was dead on arrival.
The accident was the first known case of this kind in Samoa.