FATAL ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2 January 1924, Page 7

FATAL ACCIDENT.

— - DEATH FOLLOWS A FALL. J MARRIED MAX KILLED. j j Mr. Francis Allen (43). a married 1 man residing at Sussex Street. Grey Lynn, died at the Auckland Hospital on ' Monday evening last as the result of injuries received through his falling in Queen Street and striking his head on the pavement. An inquest was opened before Mr. ! J. W. Poynton. S.M., last evening, and after medical evidence was given, it was adjourned until noon to-day.' Evidence was given by Constable Lees, who stated that he was on duty in Queen Street, when he was called to an : office. There he found deceased in an i unconscious condition, and was told that he had fallen down and struck the back of his head on the street. Dr. Tewsley ' was called, and ten minutes after his arrival deceased recovered. The doctor said he appeared to be well enoueh to ] go home. He (deceased) smelled very strongly of liquor, and witness escorted him to the street. "He was very drunk." I said the constable, "and as he would not pay his taxi fare home, and was not able to look after himself, I conveyed ! him to the lock-up." " i In reply to a question by Sergeant I Caldwell, witness said that," when de- j ceased was at the station, there was i nothing to show that there was any- I thing wrong with him, other than he j was drunk. i Constable Butler, watch-house keeper, i said that after the man had been placed I in the padded cell, he visited him and j found him ill. He was taken into the i yard, and his condition improved, but j later he took another bad turn. Dr. ! Tewsley was called and ordered his j removal to the "hospital. Sergeant Caldwell stated that when ! deceased was brought to the station he - hr.d the appearance of an ordinary drunk, j He was very drunk, but otherwise witness could see nothing wrong with him. I Dr. Murray bad stated that death was ! due to pressure on the brain due to a ! large blood clot, resulting from nuphine I of a cerebral artery, following a fall on ! the back of the head. The coroner found in accordance with the medical testi-! tnony. at the same time remarking that i no blame was attachable to anyone, the i Vsolice having done all they could for' deceased. He would not comment on deceased's condition at the time of death.