DEATH OF TROTTING DRIVER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 70, 15 December 1939, Page 12

DEATH OF TROTTING DRIVER

Evidence At Inquest CORONER’S SUGGESTION By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. The death of Eugene Clement McDermott during the running of the New Zealand Trotting Cup race at Addington on November 7 was investigated at an inquest today. McDermott collapsed and fell from bis sulky while driving Colonel Grattan at the head of the held. Albert Edward Rodger, assistant starter, said he saw McDermott leau toward the fence as he approached the turn in the track leading the lield. He supposed that McDermott was doing this in preparation to go round tbe turn; but McDermott collapsed and fell out of the sulky. He did not at the time of his fall have hold of tiie reins. No other horse or sulky struck hint, nor had there been any interference.

James Bryce,' jutt., driver of Gallant Knight, who was running second at the time, said that McDermott was a length ahead when he fell. Witness called out to tbe drivers coming on behind to look out for .McDermott. There had been no interference with McDermott’s horse, uor was interference possible. Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, who conducted a post mortem examination, said that McDermott’s death was due to heart failure from myocarditis, induced by degeneration of the coronary arteries of tiie heart.

Mr. C. S. Thomas said that Mi's. McDermott, for whom he appeared, had asked him to make a statement to the Court. From the medical evidence it was apparent that McDermott was suffering from heart trouble. Mrs. McDermott wanted it to be clearly understood that neither iter husband uor site knew of this. He bad actually been examined a week before the race. She would not like it to be thought that her husband had driven in the race knowing of the condition of his heart and risking his life aud tbe lives Of others. The coroner, Mr. Levvey, S.M., said this statement would be appreciated. He asked Mr. G. W. C. Smithson, who appeared for the Metropolitan Trotting Club, whether the club had any check on the health of drivers. He suggested that it might be wise to have a medical certificate from each driver. Driving in these races was a strenuous business.

Mr. Smithson said that, though driving in trotting races was a strenuous occupation, drivers lasted a long time, many of them for 40 years. He agreed to pass on to the club the coroner s suggestion. The coroner said he had noticed that, one or two of the drivers at the cup meeting were certainly not youngsters. Mr. Smithson agreed. He there was one driver whose age was 68. The coroner: The strain of driving in a race like tiie cup might make it just a gamble. However, I am simply offering the suggestion. Mr. Thomas recalled that, the famous jockey Beasley rode second in a race at the age of S 3. The coroner; Well it’s bad enough watching. I find it strenuous enough at times. , ... The coroner then returned a verdict of death from heart failure, in accordance with the evidence of Dr. Pearson/ He said that he had no need te add anything to this. McDermott, who was a farmer and horse trainer as well as a driver, was aged 55 years.