STUDENT'S DEATH

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23809, 1 December 1942, Page 3

STUDENT'S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST An inquest into the death of Graham Bruce Stuart, an engineering student of Canterbury University College, who died in Christchurch on November 21, was held before the Coroner (Mr F. F. Reid) yesterday, to enable the evidence of two students'to be taken, after which the inquest was adjourned. Frederick William Seldon said that on November 19 Stuart had entered the room where drawing examinations were in progress at the engineering school. Stuart had looked at some drawings and then opened a window to climb through. Shortly after that he had seen Stuart on the balcony seven or eight feet below, in a crouched position. Stuart had said he was only "winded a bit.” Later, at College House, Stuart told him that he had missed his footing and fallen across a rail. At this time he was in great pain, and Canon Parr had sent for a doctor. Seldon said that Stuart was fond of rock-climbing and frequently climbed up the College House buildings to the second floor. His climbing out the window had not been regarded as at all unusual by the other students. John Wallace Sutherland, a student, also gave evidence. The Coroner said that there was no doubt that Stuart’s death hpd been purely accidental, but the inquest would be adjourned until the medical evidence was available. Civil Engineer’s Death A verdict that death had been caused by heart failure through degeneration of the coronary arteries, was given by the Coroner in an inquest into the death of James Morton Davidson, civil engineer, at 186 Western terrace. Beckenham, on August 19. Medical evidence was given by Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Hospital. Sergeant E. J. C. Hay represented the police.