ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Evening Star, Issue 21622, 18 January 1934, Page 9

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

DEATH FROM NATURAL CAUSES. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., corw ducted an inquiry this morning into the death of Mr Alexander Maine Aitken, a tailor who collapsed and died in his premises at the Regent Chambers yesterday morning. Two sons of the deceased gave evidence and; stated' that he had. been in indifferent ' health for some time and had com* plained of indigestion pains. Thomas James Harford, a tailor.who worked on. the deceased’s premises, said that Mr Aitlc-n was reading to him a newspaper when lie collapsed and died. Dr Walden Fitzgerald wat called in but could only pronounce life extinct. Dr Fitzgerald stated that ha examined the body a few minutes after death. In hjg opinion the most likely cause of death, was heart failure. . A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. EXPLOSION IN FACTORY. THREE MEN INJURED. Three men received painful, and ini one case, serious, burns in a fire caused by an explosion at the factory of Easton Products Limited, at Auckland yesterday. Inflammable ingredients of floor polish were being, mixed in a tin over a gas jet when a terrific explosion, occurred, injuring three men in the room and setting fire to the premises. George E. Easton, aged 44, married,, and James Bray, aged 57, married, were badly burned and were taken ta hospital. Frank Witely was burned om* the left side of the face and left hand, but was able to return to business after being treated. The fire was quickly suppressed. Mr Easton’s condition" is fairly serious, but that of Mr Bray ia not serious.^ —Press Association. » COLLIDED WITH LORRY. Whilst riding a motor cycle at Burnside yesterday Eric Smellie, aged 22, residing with his parents at Green Island,collided with a lorry and suffered a compound fracture of the left leg, fractures of the right arm and the left arm, and lacerations of the right hand.. Ho, was admitted to the hospital at 5,2-» p.m. ■ • ‘ „■