ACCIDENTS & DEATHS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 131, 15 March 1933, Page 6

ACCIDENTS & DEATHS

MENTAL PATIENT'S SUICIDE. WOMAN DROWNS HERSELF. RESCUE OF ANOTHER. (Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Ingenuity in deceiving the attendants at the Porirua Mental Hospital was shown by two women patients who escaped from the institution on the night of February 15 and threw themselves in a water-hole some distance away. One held herself under the water by clinging to a large stone and was drowned. The other was rescued. , The inquest disclosed that by means of a pair of,scissors and a nail-file the screws of a window beading were loosened some time before the actual escape, and dxiring the short absence of the nurse on duty both women made their exit by means of the window. The Coroner found that the deceased woman committed suicide by drowning. He added that it was an exceptional occurrence and he did not think there was any lack of proper care on the part of the hospital staff. DEATH OF LITTLE CHILD. DERANGEMENT OF MOTHER, WELLINGTON, March 14. An inquest was held to-day concerning the death of Dawn Betty Mitchell, aged three, when Mr E. C. Page returned a verdict thafdeaUi was due to suffocation while in' charge of her mother while the latter was in a state of mental derangement. The Coroner said that in his opinion due care had been taken by the Medical Superintendent and staff of Porirua Mental Hospital before permitting her to return home. / Dr. J. U. Williams (Medical Superintendent) stated in evidence that patients were allowed out on trial only after a long period of observation. About 800 patients would go out during a year. He regarded that as an essential part of the treatment. He described Mrs Mitchell as somewhat feeble-minded, but showing no signs of suicidal or homicidal tendencies and he considered her quite a fit person to be allowed out on trial. FATALLY CRUSHED BY LOG. GREYMOUTH, This Day. Mr George Gillanders, aged 22, who was crushed by a log yesterday at Ruru Mill, died in the Grey Hospital this morning.