SHOT IN THE CHEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 308, 29 December 1924, Page 3

SHOT IN THE CHEST.

YOUTH SERIOUSLY INJURED. SHOOTING GALLERY ACCIDENT. (By Telegraph.-Tress Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Sunday. A youth named Thomas Smythe sustained a gunshot wound in the chest in a public shooting gallery on Saturday evening. Smythe was provided with eight rounds and Mr. White, the proprietor, was adjusting the target when he heard a muffled report. Upon returning to the shooting range he found the youth had gone, but, on looking out, saw him walking down the street. No cry had been made by Smythe. The next, scene was enacted in a lounge in the same street, where Smythe took a seat. He lay across the table groaning and explained that he had caught the rifle in his clothing and it had discharged, the bullet entering his chest. The proprietor examined the wound which evidently had been made by a small-bore rifle and which was bleeding slightly. Marks of the rifle's explosion were apparent on the 6hirt. A doctor ordered Smythe's removal to the hospital, where his condition is regarded as serious, although he is still conscious. The police are of opinion that the wound was accidentally received.