FOOTBALLER’S DEATH

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1938, Page 4

FOOTBALLER’S DEATH

Fracture of the Neck RECOMMENDATION BY DOCTOR. HAMILTON, May 11. The grave danger of removing apparently seriously injured footballers from the field of play was strongly emphasised to-day by Dr. G. B. Isdale of Ngaruawahia, in a recommendation which he added to his evidence at the resumed inquest into the death of Mr Paul Halbert, aged 22. farm hand, of Taupiri, who was fatally injured in a practice football game at Ngaruawahia on April 23. Deceased suffered a fractured neck, as a result of which he died in the Waikato Hospital three days later. The coroner was Mr F. W. Platts.

“In cases such as this, in which injury to the head, neck or back occurs it is in the patient’s interests that a doctor should be obtained rather than to transport him to a doctor,” said Dr. Isdale. “Some fractures of the spine do not involve damage to the spinal cord until the patient is moved.”

Witness added, however, that in the present case, judging from the X-ray i eport, the damage appeared to have already been done before the patient, was moved.

Dr. Isdale gave evidence that on April 23, deceased was brought to his surgery by car. In witness’ opinion he had suffered a fracture or a fracture dislocation of the fifth and sixth vertibra. His condition was very grave. Witness sent deceased by ambulance to the Waikato Hospital. Charles Hill, farm hand, of Te Akau South, stated that on April 23 he was a member of a Taupiri team playing in a practice match at Ngaruawahia. Deceased was playing in the! opposing team. Shortly after half-time deceased commenced to run with the ball. He avoided several tacklers but was eventually tackled from behind. Witness said he tackled deceased from the front as he was falling, and I deceased head struck witness’ hip' with a severe impact. Deceased did) not get up and was carried off the I field and taken in a car to the doctorJ Te Keepa Tahana, butcher, of: Ngaruawahia, who refereed the sec- 1 ond spell of the match, said the game I was played in a very friendly spirit! throughout.

A verdict was returned that the deceased died from injuries accidentally received.

“The unfortunate death of this flnc| young man was purely accidental,”i said Mr Platts. “No one was in any. way to blame.” i . . ’'