THREE SUDDEN DEATHS

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1942, Page 4

THREE SUDDEN DEATHS

INQUESTS AT GREYMOUTH.

Three inquests were concluded at ai sitting of the Coroner’s Court, presided over by Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., at Greymouth yesterday. Sergeant Mcßobie conducted the proceedings for the police and in each case a verdict in accordance with medical evidence was returned. The inquest into the death of Percival Roy Grenfell, aged 40, snigger, of Arnold Siding, AVho was found dead on April 21, lying face down in a pool of water, in the bush at the Stratford and Blair Mills, was concluded. When the inquest vzas first opened on May 2, evidence was given by William Atkinson, Thomas Henry Symes, Charles Dunn and Constable J. W. Hammond and the hearing was adjourned to hear medical evidence.

Dr. J. F. C. Moore of Greymouth, said that he had conducted a post mortem examination on the body of deceased. Death was due to atheromatous disease of the aorta and to coronary arteries. The Coroner gave a verdict accordingly. The adjourned inquest into the death of Francis Samuel Orr, aged 53, of Greymouth, a boring plant attender, whose death occurred at the Strongman Mine on April 20, was concluded after medical evidence had been given by Dr. J. F. C. Moore. When the inquest was opened on May 2, evidence was given by Lionel Reinheimer, James Massey, Percy Martyn Outhwaite and Constab.e W. J. Theyers. In accordance with Dr. Moore => evidence, the Coroner returned tliac death was due to coronary occlusion associated with atheroma of the aorta and deposits in the valve or the heart. MINE WORKER’S DEATH. An inquest was opened into the death of Leslie James (Baxter, aged 29 years, a surface labourer, employed at the Wallsend Mine, who collapsed and died at his work on May H. e „ ~ George Simon of Greymouth, a workmate of deceased, gave evidence as to his discovery of the body lying across a railway line at the mine, near the place where deceased usually worked. Life was then found to be extinct. . ■ Francis Edward Lockington, mine manager, said deceased’s job had not been hard and had previously been done by a boy who had just left school. „ , Constable J. W. Hammond, ot Erunnerton, gave formal evidence. Dr. W. A. Bird in evidence, said he had treated deceased for some years for cardiac embarrassment and blood pressure, and had arranged very light work for him. Death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. “The verdict will be that the cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage” said the Coroner.