LATE MR A. J. FRASER

Grey River Argus, 27 July 1940, Page 10

LATE MR A. J. FRASER

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. An inquest concerning th e death >of Mr Arthur. Joseph Fraser was held at the Grey Hospital yesterday morning, before Mr M. J. Fogarty J.P. District Coroner. The proceedings were conducted by Sergeant E, J. C. Hay. Evidence of itlentification was given by James Edgar McKeefry, secretary of the Grey Hospital Board. He said that deceased had been in the employ of the Board for approximately ten years. Witness last Saw him alive at 5.10 p-m. on Thursday when he was being prepared for bed in Victoria side room. During the course of conversation deceased had explained that he had been setting hi s office to rights after it had been painted and in stepping off the side bench on to a small twostepped stool, the stool slipped from under him and he' fell heavily to the floor.

Daniel Hanrahan, a carpenter employed by the Hospital Board said that about 3.30 p.m. yesterday he was coming out of the boiler house when he saw deceased walking out of hi s office. He was holding his left arm across the lower part of his body in a peculiar way and in answer to witness’s question he said that he had fallen over in his office and that he had either broken his arm or bruised his muscles. Witness said “I will go for a doctor” but he said, not to bother in the meantime. He walked back to his offic e and witness informed the Dispenser, Mr Harnett, that deceased had met with an accident and that he had better see him.

Dr. D. M. Logan. Medical Superintendent of the Grey Hospital said that h e attended deceased about 3 p.m. yesterday. He had broken the left humerus as th.° result of a fall off some steps in his office. On account of the nature of the fracture an anaesthetic was required for a reduction. The anaesthetic was given about 7.25 p.m. Th e anaesthetic was induced by chloroform and ether mixture and th e anaesthesia continued with open ether. The anaesthesia proceeded normally and the. reduction of the fracture was carried out About 8.15 p.m. after deceased had been transferred to his bed in the theatre, and was still' under th e anaesthetic, he suddenly collapsed and diea. All attempts at resuscitation were ot no avail. The cause of death, in witness’s opinion, was heart failure following the administration of an anaesthetic, for the reduction of a fracture. Deceased was examined both by Dr. Gree'nslade and witness prior to the operation. He was suffering from high blood pressure and some degree of myocardial degeneration. He was not a good anaesthetic risk but after consideration it was fait that, on account of the nature of the fracture an anaesthetic was indicated and that it would not entail 1 any undue risk. The anaesthetic given was the safest for his condition. The Coroner adjourned the hearing sine die. The funeral of the late Mr Fraser will take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving the residence of Mrs Knapp, Threadneedle Street, at 2 p.m.. for St. Patrick’s Church, and thence to the Karoro Cemetery. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St- PatricK S Church at 9.30 a.m. to-day (Saturaddition to his other services to the community as enumerated yesterday, the late Mr Fraser held office as Secretary of the West Coast Rugby Uffion Sid the West Coast Boxing Association. .