ONGARUE TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 10

ONGARUE TRAGEDY

the CORONER’S INQUIRY. MEDICAL EVIDENCE. (Pbb Uhitbd Paisa Association.) TAUMARUNUT, July 24. The adjourned inquest concerning the | death of the victims of the (Jngarno disaster was resumed to-day before the/district coroner (Mr Laird). Inspector lulnhy represented the police, and Mr Isaacs represented the Railway Department. Dr Welbv Fisher,' medical superintendent at Tauma.ra.nui Hospital, gave evidence in regard to the work done in rescuing and assisting the injured. On their arrival at the scene Dr Bathgate showed him what had been done, and he helped to remove some of the dead and injured. As soon as the second relief train came, he arranged with the trathe manager for the speedy transfer of the injured to hospital. Dr Howard, who arrived by the second train, proceeded to Ongarnc, where five injured .required attention. W uness arranged that Dr Howard should fohow him to the hospital. Subsequently Drs Bathgate and Vivian hoarded the return train with him with all the available in- ■ jnred. Three patients died on the way. On arrival he arranged with Dr A iv:an to attend to transhipment and to proceed to the hospital with Dr Bathgate,, while witness motored to the hospital to prepare for ,(he patients. Questioned by the coroner, witness said ho did not see any irreverence shown to the dead, but, on the contrary, every respect was shown. The suggestion might have arisen because attention had to be directed to the injured. Witness arrived at the hospital at 10.45 a.rn., and Dr Vivian came shortly after, in accordance with the arrangements made; but between 1 and 2 o’clock Dr Vivian was sent for. Witness had made arrangements for nil the medical men to go to the hospital. Dr Bathgate went away foi refreshment after his arduous work. Dr Vivian informed witness after arrival Hint he wished to get away, and he did not think be would be required. He asked witness if there were anything particular to ha done. Witness was unable to specify except to do as he was doing, going over (iir cases and giving attendance for shock. All the injured till then had received first aid. Dr Vivian said he was prepared to return later, when the operations were to he performed. He exercised his own judgment in leaving or staying. Dr Howard came after the arrival of the second relief train. The shortage of medical men for two hours was not detrimental to the patients. Witness understood (hat Dr Vivian left because he had other pressing business. Fiom a public point of view, Dr Vivian may have erred in his judgment. It was certainly no desire of witness that he should go. To Inspector Fuuhy, Dr Fisher said he was in charge when the injured reached the hospital It was not unprofessional for Pr Vivian to retire, but witness would not have done so himself unless P. were a matter of life and death. Dr Howard said hr arrived in Taumarnnui from the scene of the accident on the second rescue train about 12.30 p.m. Dr Fisher did not arrang' 1 with witness to go to the hospital on his return. Witness arrived at Ihe hospital about 6 o'clock. If Dr Fisher invited witness to go to the hospital he did not hear him. Witness may not have heard him, as his hearing was defective. Witrcss tele-' phoned to the hospital after lunch, and asked if he could he of anv service, receiving a reply in tho affirmative. Witness agreed with Dr Fisher that the period of waiting before witness arrived was not, detrimental to the condition of the patients Dr Eric Vivian gave ovideme describing the work of the doctors at the scene of the accident. On the arrival of the i rain at Ta.umn.runui Dr Fisher suggested that witness should stav on the platform until all the injured linl been removed. When this was done witness went straight to the hospital and reported to Dr Fisher. Dr Fisher gave witness the impression that Tie wanted an a rues* he*m given immediately. and the, necessary preparations were made. Witness waited some time, and then approached Dr Fisher again, who was still busy examining the eases Witness was given on ind’cation ns W. *he patients who ha 1 been treated or otherwise. On his arrival at the hospital witness approached Dr Fisher, and again later, and he intimated that if there were nothing for him to do he would go away, and ho could he, summoned by telephone. Witness was at the hospital one hour before he left. About 1 o'clock Dr Fisher rang him up, and asked him to return and bring Dr Bathgate. To the Coroner: Witness agreed with Dr Howard that the del-iv was not detrimental to the injured, and lie thought that anv of the miblic who suggested that the patients suffered by reason of any delay after admission to the hospital had a wrong impression. When witness returned to the hospital he received definite instructions concerning which patients to attend. Wiiness t bought .more trained nurses should have been procured, although the hospital and volunteer nurses did excellent work. *

To Inspector Fouliy: Ho would not mv.lerte.kp to give attention at the hospital without Dr Fisher’s permission, find witness been superintendent- he would have pot. all the medic,\l skill available. ■Witness left the hospital after he had been there an hour because there seemed to he nothing definite for him to do. Witness informed the superintendent how to summon him (witness; if he wanted him. Witness did not think he had been slighted. Thomas Mahoney, constable, stationed at Ormanie, save evidence in record to the rescue work at the sceim of the accident, and said lie considered everything possible was done for the injured, and no irreverence was snown to the d-yid. The inquiry was adjourned till to-mor-row.