POLICE INQUIRY ORDERED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22308, 24 January 1938, Page 10

POLICE INQUIRY ORDERED

BOY'S DEATH AFTER ACCIDENT DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL AS OUT-PATIENT (FKKSS ASSOCIATION TELBGRXM.) AUCKLAND. January 23. A special inquiry has been ordered by the police authorities into the death of Ronald Robert McDowell, aged 10, a schoolboy, the son of Mr John McDowell, of Ponsonby. The lad died in the Auckland Hospital on Saturday morning from injuries received when he was knocked from his bicycle while riding in Victoria street on January 18. It is revealed that the boy was taken to the Auckland Hospital immediately after the accident in an ambulance, accompanied by Constable Agnew, who had been summoned to the scene of the accident. He was examined in the out-patients' department and then allowed to go to his home in the company of Constable Agnew. The next day, however, the boy became very ill and was admitted to the hospital in a dangerous condition, suffering from a severe haemorrhage. He failed to improve and after several lapses died early on Saturday morning. It is understood that the basis of the police inquiry is the action of the hospital authorities in allowing the boy to be taken to his home soon after the accident, suffering from what proved to be fatal injuries. An inquest opened before Mr F. K, Hunt. S.M., on Saturday was adjourned sine die.