DEATH AFTER CLIMB

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 44, 20 August 1941, Page 9

DEATH AFTER CLIMB

MILITARY RESERVIST

UNIT ON MANOEUVRES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 19. "I was astonished that this man should have been passed in his medical test as fit for service," said Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist, at the Christchurch Public Hospital, giving evidence at an inquest into the death of John Henry Knowles. Knowles was a polish manufacturer, aged 51, who collapsed, on Scarborough Hill, and died while on manoeuvres as a member of the National Military Reserve. Dr. Pearson made his statement in answer to questions from the Coroner, Mr. Levvey. A post-mortem examination had shown that Knowles suffered from degeneration of the arteries of the heart. Francis Moran Woods said that after a climb lasting about 20 minutes, the unit stopped for a spell at the top. While they were halted Knowles remarked that he found it fairly hard going, and said he was very nearly going to give up that climb, as he had been short of breath. He did not complain of feeling ill, and, after a spell of about five minutes, said he was all right. Soon afterwards he fell forward and died. Alexander Mclvor Brosnan, platoon officer, stated that he spoke to Knowles, who soon afterwards fell forward. Witness felt his pulse and realised that he was dead, To the Coroner the witness said that men were medically examined before they were posted to units in the National Military Reserve. The Coroner: I have the pathologist's report here, you see, and a rather extraordinary position has cropped up. Your office files should show the findings of the medical examination. The witness said that if the medical reports showed that the man was not fit, he would not have been posted to a unit. The reports must have shown Knowles as fit if he was put on the unit's strength. The Coroner asked Dr. Pearson whether it was his considered opinion that Knowles should not have been posted to the unit. "I will say I am astonished that he should have been," said Dr. Pearson. "Well, that's as strong as one can ask," said the Coroner. "In view of Dr. Pearson's statement I make no comment whatsoever." A verdict was returned of death from heart failure.