PEA RIFLE ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 13, 16 January 1905, Page 5

PEA RIFLE ACCIDENT.

V ICTIM IN A PRECARIOUS STATE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) WAIHI, this day. A most distressing pea rifle accident, resulting in a boy 14 years old being shot in the abdomen, occurred in Waihi East yesterday übout~l2.3o o'clock at the residence of W. Rycroffc. bush contractor, on Walmsley-road. It appears that the two sons of Rycroft. Willie and Archie, aged 14 and 18 respectively, were shooting sparrows with a pea rifle at the back of the house, when the elder boy accidentally shot his brother, the bullet entering the abdomen. The unfortunate lad was immediately carried home. Dr. Slater was summoned, and seeing that an operation was urgently neeessarv to save the boy's life the doctor had him conveyed to the district hospital, where the operation was at once performed by Drs. Slater and Claridge. Up to the time of the operation the boy said that he felt no pain, and walked into the operating theatre unassisted. I am informed that the result of the operation was not satisfactory, the doctors being unable to locate the bullet, and on inquiring this morning at the hospital I learn that the boy's condition is most serious, and that there is not much hope held out of his recovery. Further particulars of the accident show that the brother was in the act of loading the gun. On shutting back the cartridge trap the latter struck the bullet, causing the gun to explode. The trigger did not go off. Dr. Slater, who performed the operation, states that the bullet entered the abdomen in a slanting direction, carrying portions of the trousers and shirt, and then entered the intestines, inflicting four distinct wounds. No signs of the bullet w-ere to be found, but it was anticipated that it had lodged in the muscles near the backbone. Owing to the condition of the boy the operation, after continuing for an hour and a half, had to be discontinued. His present condition is absolutely hopeless.