FALL FROM FIRE ESCAPE

Evening Star, Issue 22327, 1 May 1936, Page 13

FALL FROM FIRE ESCAPE

RAILING GIVES WAY [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 30. A finding that the deceased died in the Wellington Hospital on April 10 from a fracture of the skull received when he accidentally fell from a fire escape at the Railway Hotel at Lower Hutt on April 4 was returned at the inquest into the circumstances of the death of James AHPherson to-day. William Alaxwell Scott Greig, an engineer, who lived at the hotel, said ho saw several' boarders arguing with the deceased, who was in a drunken condition. When told that they wanted MTherson put out he (Greig) put his arms around him and lifted him out on to the fire escape landing. The deceased suddenly overbalanced and fell against, the railing surrounding the fire escape landing, which gave way. and the deceased fell 14ft to the ground. Witnes.s tried to catch hold of him, but it was too late. He found the deceased to be unconscious and assisted to carry him inside. Witness did not strike or push the deceased when he was on the landing and did nothing to cause him to fall as he did. It was owing to his drunken condition that ho overbalanced and fell.

The coroner (Air E. Gilbertson) said he was satisfied that the deceased was drunk and l unsteady on his feet. He thought tho deceased lurched in his drunken state against the railing, which gave way. Tho railing was not safe. Boarders thought it was shaky, but the question of safety rested with the inspector. Apparently since the accident the inspector had concluded that the railing was flimsy.