INFANT’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 April 1943, Page 4

INFANT’S DEATH

INQUEST AT GREYMOUTH

An investigation into the circumstances whereby Stanley David Dunwoodie, a 19-monlhs-old child, met his death at Karoro on Thursday was conducted by the Coroner (Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M.) yesterday. Sergeant R. C. Mcßobie conducted procedings for the police, and after hearing medical evidence the Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to asphyxia caused by drowning. Mr. Chisholm commented that it was unfortunate that a child -of that age should have died in such tragic circumstances.

Evidence of identification was given by David Dunwoodie, grandfather of the child. Maria Erin Dunwoodie, mother of the infant, said that about 11 a.m. on Thursday he was playing with a boy named Gilbert, aged 15, next door. When she went to look for her child Gilbert said he was at a sand heap at the bottom of the garden. When she went to look, he was not there. Coming back, she found the child in an old bath full of water, which was on ground level. Dr. Bird was called, and said that life was extinct. , <r . Harry Thomas Gilbert, aged 15, said he was playing with Stanley Dunwoodie in the shed at his home. The latter went to the sand heap at the bottom of the garden where witness took a small barrow and then i eturned to the shed. This was the last time he saw deceased alive. Dr. W. A. Bird said that when he was called to the scene he applied artificial respiration for three-quarters of an hour without signs of revival. He took the body to the Hospital, where further restorative measures were applied without avail.