ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 11

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

A verdict that Margaret Alice Fuller aged 21, died in the Hurunui river-bed on June 6 after being accidentally shot in the head by William Wayne Anderson while rabbit shooting was returned by the Coroner (Mr A. T. Bell) in the Coroner’s Court yesterday. Mr B. McClelland appeared for Anderson, and the police were represented by Senior Detective Sergeant S. B. McEwen. Anderson, a clerk, of Harakeke street, said he went to the home of Miss Fuller’s parents at Waikari for the week-end. He and Miss Fuller went rabbit shooting in the afternoon in the Hurunui river-bed. When they' came to a small glade they were in single file. Miss Fuller being immediately behind him. There was a tree apart from the others, and he vent around it and saw a rabbit on a bank 15 to 20 yards in front. Miss Fuller must have still been behind him. He closed the shotgun and pointed it at the rabbit, leading it as it ran from right to left. Miss Fuller said “Oh,” or “No,” as she probably wanted to protect the rabbit because of her love of animals. He fired, and Miss Fuller fell. He realised there had been an accident and summoned help. He had a number of years’ shooting experience and had been shooting with Miss Fuller several times. She always walked behind him and to the left by arrangement.

Detective Sergeant Emmet Thomas Mitten said that inquiries by the police had not brought forth any evidence which would show that the shooting was other than consistent with an accident.