ELLIOTT-STREET ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4131, 28 September 1883, Page 3

ELLIOTT-STREET ACCIDENT.

Doath of Mr Samuol M. Smith.

Tin; unfortunate accident which bofel Air Samuel M. Smith (foreman to Mr J. J. Holland), bricklayer, whilo working at Me Arthur and Co.'fi new store in Elliottstreet on Tuesday last proved of a very surious character, and resulted fatally this morning. It may be remembered that Smith fell from a stage erected for the purpose of fixing a block to i\ new iron crane, and was precipitated upon the rough scoria beneath with such force as to cause a compound fracture of the left arm, the bones projecting through the skin on both sides. His injuries were dressed by Dr. Bayntun, after which the sufferer was conveyed to tho Hospital. Wo are informed that an impression provails that the patient was neglected immediately after tho accident by Dr. Tonnant, but such does not appear from tho circumstances to bo tho case. When the accident happened, tho sufferer was taken to Dr. Tonnant'e surgery, but the doctor was absent on his rounds at tho time. Dr. Evans happened to pass, and was asked to look at tho man, but it is said that he declined. Dr. Bayntun avrived about live minutes afterward, and on his advice Smith wont to tho Hospital, ■where tlie arm was placed in splints. Ho ■sras advised to remain there, but declined. .Dr. Tennant saw him in tho evoning, and also next day. On Wednesday, Smith insisted on going back to the Hospital, saying ■'he had promised Drs. Bond and Richardson ■to do ho. Ho returned late in the ■day, and said ho had been kept waiting at the Hospital (several hours beforo ho could be attonded to. Immediately after lie returned, ho became unwell, and Dr. T.ennont was sent for. When he reached the house, ho found that Smith waa suffering from idiopathic tetanus. Tho symptoms grow more alarming, and on Thursday the caso was a hopeless one of traumatic tetanus. Dr. Richardson was also called in, but there was no hope of doing'more.thaiyilloviating tho agony of tho patient, who died about 9 o'clock this morn ing. The splints were not taken off the arm owing to the fact that tho bones had been protruding.