GUNNER RICHARDSON'S DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1297, 28 November 1911, Page 6

GUNNER RICHARDSON'S DEATH.

THL" CORONER'S INQUEST. The circumstances connected with tho death of Ciitmior Vernon Snofford Kichiirdson, of (lie ]) Bsiltory, tit Ilio Wellington Hospital on Sunday morning, from injuries received when run over by a gun-wringc nt. Petono on Satunlny Inst, wi<;v investigated liy tlic District Coroner (Dr. A. W. M'Arlhiir, P.M.) sit in inquest which wns held nt tlio hospital yesterday afternoon. Tho evidence of Corpornl F. \V. Rood, of the I) Battery, who was riiliiiK Ijcside the deceased when die Occident linpponod, was to tliD effect that when tho section was passim: tlic Pctone Woollen Mills, en route to the Polotte racecourse, Richardson's cap blew off, and he jumped off the limber to Ret it. lie then rejoined (ho buttery, which was then moving at t slow trot, and attempted to jump upon the liinbar, but missed his footing, fell to tho ground, nnd the wheel of (he gun■irringe passed over bim. Witness did not hear him call out. It wns Against all regulations nnd instructions to descend from or attempt to net up on tho limber while the battery was on the move. It wns a very dangerous practice. When Hichardson jumped down, witness called out to the drivers lo stop, but apparently no ono heard him. So far as be knew, no aftemnt was made by the dcce,is-ed to got tho flrivers to stop. Witness then related the subsequent events (already reported), sotting forth the taking nf tho deceased to. tho Grand National Hotel, medical attendance, and bis removal lo the Wellington Hospital. Gunner L. S. Carmichaol, in tbo colirsn nf bis ovidence, stated that young Richardson tripped over tbo gun trailer as ho attempted to mount. He fell on his face, and then rolled over on his back. Gunner C. Guise, in bis corroborative evidence, ndded that the deceased was observed by him, when returning to regain bis position ou the limber, to eeizfl the loose end Of a strop, but be lost hie hold and foil. Dr. P. H. Woodhouse, senior house surgeon nt tbo Wellington Hospital, stnted that when the deceased wns ndmitted to the institution he was suffering from shock and severe internal injuries (described). After nn examination, ho called .Dr. Herbert, who operated. Stimulants were given the patient through tho night, but ho gradually sank ami died at G o'clock next, morning. Tho injuries describee] were consistent with tho passive of a heavy weight, such us n ffiinwliwl, over the lower part of the bmly. Tlu* coroner's rinding was to the i-ffcot that di'Jitb resulted from shock and Inss of blood, arising from injuries received when attempting to jump on a gun limber ivltilo the battery wns on tbo move, si ml filling under the wheel of the, gun-carriage,