Fatality at golf

Press, 27 March 1981, Page 1

Fatality at golf

Edna Frances Oakley, aged 64, married, of Ashburton, died after suffering serious head injuries when struck by a golf ball on the . Mayfield Golf course on October 11, the Coroner’s Court at Ashburton found yesterday Roger Melville Lake, a farmer, of Ruapuna, told the Coroner (Mr L. K. Cooney), that he had hit off the second tee but the ball had come off the heel of the club and had struck Mrs Oakley, who was seated, near the women’s tee about 35 metres in front. There was no time to warn her.

Marjorie McLaren Murdoch, a nurse, who had been playing nearby, said

that Mrs Oakley’s condition became worse by the time they got her to the., club house. She was taken to Ashburton Hospital. The Coroner said there was no way he could adequately express his regret about the accident, but he was disturbed that the police had taken six months to bring the case to court. Sergeant N. J. Birss said that initially the delay had been caused when one witness failed to make a statement. The police had been ready to proceed with the case six to eight w-eeks ago, but the Coroner himself had then suggested waiting until other cases were ready.