Youth Accidentally Shot By Brother

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31290, 9 February 1967, Page 3

Youth Accidentally Shot By Brother

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, February 8.

Calvin Michael McCormack, aged 15, a student, was accidentally shot dead by his brother at Kowhitirangi on November 24 while deerstalking, the Coroner (Mr R. Paterson) found when the inquest was concluded at Hokitika.

Evidence was given by Barry John Godfrey, aged 16, of Kowhitirangi, of going hunting with another youth, John Jones. They met the McCormack brothers.

Jones dragged two deer they had shot down the river and the other three walked along the river bank. He waited for Jones while the McCormacks were about 25 yards behind him on the same level.

On the way back to the cars Calvin McCormack had found some glow worms and had shown them to the witness. After the four had

parted he heard a shot and saw Calvin McCormack fall down a small bank.

Richard Vaughan McCormack, aged 18, a power board employee, said that after the four had parted he walked along the track, believing his brother was still with Godfrey. It was there that he fired, mistaking his brother for a deer. He carried his brother out to the car and took him home.

Dr. R. B. Robertson gave evidence of having carried out a post-mortem examination and said he considered death to be instantaneous.