Child died from brain swelling

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 12

Child died from brain swelling

A girl, aged 15 months, who died in the intensivecare unit of Christchurch Hospital in February, had been admitted to undergo treatment of dislocation of the left hip, a witness told the Coroner’s Court yesterday. The Assistant Coroner, Mr Colin Marshall, found that Janet Eileen Isabella Brown died on February 19 from brain swelling and inflamation of the liing. Dr George Downwood, of the Christchurch Hospital intensive-care unit, said the child had been admitted to hospital for the operation, which had been uneventful, but on the morning of February 14 had developed severe febrile convulsion and suffered damage to the brain because of a lack of oxygen. Dr Downwood said the child had been transferred to the unit and remained stable for several days, but on the afternoon of February 18 her neurological state deteriorated. She was found to be brain dead on February 19 and ventilation was withdrawn. Her heart stopped beating soon after this.

TOO MANY PASSENGERS The main cause of an accident near the Lyttelton road tunnel in which a youth, aged 19, died was a motor-cyclist’s decision to allow two pillion passengers to ride with him, said Constable Martin Richard Fitzsimons. The Assistant Coroner found that James Michael Stewart, aged 19, died on March 13 from injuries suffered when his motorcycle collided with an oncoming car. The Assistant Coroner said the accident was a further example of three factors — alcohol, youth, and probably speed. Constable Fitzsimons said he attended the accident on March 13 involving two motor-cycles and two cars in which the rider of one of the motorcycles suffered fatal injuries. The collision occurred on Tunnel Road, a kilometre from the tunnel entrance. Police inquiries showed that Mr Stewart had been drinking at a hotel in Lyttelton and had then left with two companions, all three on his motorcycle. They rode “three up” along the Tunnel Road. Their machine hit another motor-cycle, no more than a side-swipe which meant Mr Stewart Jost control and the motor-cycle collided with, a car.~ ■ It was probable the three persons were thrown off and the unattended motor-cycle collided with another car, Constable Fitzsiipons said. > Steven Douglas Jack, a student, said he had been returning to Christchurch from Lyttelton in his car and had driven round the

comer after the road tunnel with a passenger and noticed 1 a motor-cycle behind him. He saw a lot of sparks and knew the rider must have fallen off. He .did not see any lights, as another motor-, cycle came up and tried to pass him. He just saw the motorcycle suddenly appear by the driver’s rear door — and the next thing there was an “almighty thump” and his car spun round and came to a halt HIT BY WAGGON The Assistant Coroner found a man died from injuries suffered when he was. knocked down by railway waggons at the Middleton rail shunting yard, Christchurch, and thrown under the waggons. Murray David Shaw, aged 35, died on April 3 from multiple injuries. Eric Murray Connor, a shunter, said he had been working at the yards assisting in marshalling a train. He had been working on the driver’s side of the waggons some distance from the driver and Mr Shaw had been further away. Mr Connor said he was waving the driver in when he saw Mr Shaw in the middle of the track. He called to him to get out of the way, saw Mr Shaw turn and see the coming waggons and try to get out of the way. Mr Shaw was hit by the right-hand corner of the waggon which pulled him under the train, said Mr Connor. Constable K. Rose said it appeared the cause of the accident had been a momentary lapse in concentration coupled with the noise of another locomotive approaching.

FATAL COMBINATION The death of a youth in a motor-vehicle accident was another of those unfortunate cases of a fatal combination of speed, alcohol and youth, said the Assistant Coroner. He found Stewart Craw Whitelaw, aged 18, died on March 8 from a severe head injury suffered when he lost control of his car on State highway 75 near Tai Tapu and hit a bridge. The Assistant Coroner said it was fortunate that there was no other traffic in the area and no passenger in the car. Tony David Gilbert, a witness, said he had been holding his twenty-first birthday party at the Tai Tapu Hall. Mr Whitelaw had been one of the guests. After the party Mr Gilbert had cleaned up the hall and driven along the road t 6 the Akaroa-Christ-church highway and had driven only 100 m on the highway when he saw a car catapulting off the bridge. The car went end on end at least once and then slid along the road. “I thought I was just seeing things,” said Mr Gilbert. When he got to the vehicle it was on its side. Constable Fitzsimons said it was believed Mr Whitelaw was travelling to his home in School Road, Tai Tapu. CAR ACCIDENT A boy’s death was caused by, injuries suffered in a car accident at the comer of Avonhead Road and Russley Road, the Assistant Coroner found. He found Vernon Andrew Wills, aged 12,

died on January 7 from multiple injuries. Constable Fitzsimons, giving evidence on behalf of Senior Constable Maurice Smith, said that the police had been called to an accident at the intersection of Avonhead Road and Russley Road. Mrs Jessie Wilis, the grandmother of Vernon Wills, was driving her car on Avonhead Road and failed to stop at a stop sign controlled intersection. She drove through the stop sign into the path of another car and the impact of the collision shunted her car into a hedge and against a power pole. Vernon Wills was thrown through the windscreen and into the hedge. He was a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle. CAUSE OF DEATH The cause of the death of Manuhuia Graham Umuhuri, aged 34, who died on April 4, was head injuries suffered in a car accident, the Assistant Coroner found. Constable Fitzsimons said Mr Umuhuri, the driver of the car, suffered fatal head injuries in the accident and died at the scene. Mr Umuhuri and a passenger had spent the Friday evening before the accident drinking in several hotels and then had driven along Lincoln Road to get hamburgers. They had been returning to the passenger’s address when the vehicle veered left on to the footpath then struck a power pole and came to rest against a fence. Michael Richard Cook said Mr Umuhuri was

driving and he had been a passenger. He must have been asleep, he said. The accident occurred quickly and both men were wearing seat belts. Mr Cook said he jumped out , " ■> ■ . SLIPPED OR FELL A man died when he either slipped or fell into the Avon River, a witness told the Assistant Coroner. William John Davidson, aged 83, was found to have died on March 2, from asphyxia due to drowning. Constable James Bennie said Mr Davidson had been found floating in the river by a member of the public. Mr Davidson had left his house In Innes Road at 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, to go for a walk. His wife later became concerned and notified family members of his absence. The police believed Mr Davidson, who was without his glasses, either slipped or fell into the river. ROLLED INTO RIVER A man died when he. rolled down a steep bank of the Avon River and fell in, while asleep. The Assistant Coroner found that George Tanner McLaughlin, aged 56, died on April 10, 1987, from asphyxia caused by drowning. Constable Bennie said Mr McLaughlin was a sickness beneficiary of no fixed abode and known to be an alcoholic. His body was recovered from the river face down. The police believed Mr McLaughlin must have rolled down a steep bank while asleep and drowned while under the Influence of alcohol.