FATAL ACCIDENT AT ST. CLAIR.

Evening Star, Issue 7343, 15 October 1887, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT AT ST. CLAIR.

Yesterday afternoon Mr Win, M'Connell, who keeps a general store in the Cargill road, opposite St. Peter's Church, set out with his express to deliver goods, taking his wife with him, it being her desire to go, so that she might get a mouthful of fresh air. When at St. Clair, about five o'clock, Mr M'Connell alighted in Beach street to call on a customer, and left his wife in charge of the trap. He had only been away a minute or two when thehorsebolted —not at a furious pace, for the chain was on the wheel—and Mrs M'Connell either jumped out or fell out; but just as she came to the ground the cart overset, owing to the wheels getting locked through the horse suddenly swerving, and Mrs M'Connell was pinned to the ground with the wheel right across her body. The horse being still on the move, the vehicle was at once dragged clear, and the sufferer was carried into Mrs Powell's, close by. Her husband, who was with her in a very short space of time, asked her if she felt much hurt, and she replied that she did not think she was ; but on examination it was found that the right leg was broken just below the knee. Dr Maunsell, who had been sent for, was quickly in attendance ; but Mrs M'Connell, who was near her confinement, rapidly sank, and died about half an hour after the doctor's arrival, the cause of death being the breaking of the leg and severe internal injuries. Mrs M'Connell, who was thirtyseven years of age, leaves seven young children. An inquest was held this afternoon at the Fitzroy Hotel, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death."