COLLAPSE IN SHOP

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 75, 28 March 1936, Page 15

COLLAPSE IN SHOP

INQUEST ON BAKER

A CYCLE COLLISION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) . CHRISTCHURCH, March 27. '. "There is no doubt in the mind of 1 the Court that this unfortunate incident was precipitated by the unfortun- ; ate happenings between Main and . Frame, but beyond that I do not pro- ; pose to make any comment, as it ■ might or might not prejudice the posi- ■ tion of one of the witnesses." ~. This , statement was made by the Coroner. (Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M.), at the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Robert Main, aged 55, baker, Hereford Street, who collapsed .and died in a shop in Cashel Street jOn the evening of January 31. The formal verdict was that Main died from myocarditis brought on by diseased blood vessels. / Dr. Pearson, in evidence, Said .undue excitement would be an accelerating factor in' the cause of death. ■ Dr. William Bates said Main's heart was in a bad condition, and the excitement caused by a collision would hasten death. i Other witnesses gave evidence.as to the incidents of the evening, . There.; 1 was a collision between Main '■ and 1 Albert Hector Frame, labourer, Hills 1 Road, both of whom were riding bicycles. After the collision Main •• was, | according fc> witnesses, badly ; fright?' j ened. One witness reported him; as saying: "That drunken rotter pushed me.off my bicycle." < Evidence disclosed that Main eptered a fruit shop in Cashel Street and asked for help, saying he was being followed by a man who pushed him on; his bicycle. Frame was then outside} the shop. Main left and went next dopif! to the grocer's shop of W. Walker, 35Q' Cashel; Street, repeating his statement that a. man ,was chasing .him..' Main was excited and upset, arid asked that the'police be called."" Before this could be done, he fell forward on the floor, and died. -, ..■.., ■■ < ■ >■■>;. . Frame, in evidence, said he had had a considerable amount of liquor that evening. He was riding a bicycle turning from Madras . tos .Hereford Street, when a man riding an unlighted bicycle collided with him. His knee w'as-!inj\ired;;'his .right elbow swelled, and his lip, was cut. Frame said "he .went to the; shop iwhich*. Main entered because he wished to discover his name. ...... ■ To. the Magistrate he .admitted having a considerable amount of liquor, but said he would dispute that he was very drunk.. He did not remember being; told that Main was dead or. being asked for his name. ; ■''•.'.;