YOUNG CHILD’S DEATH

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1943, Page 4

YOUNG CHILD’S DEATH

INQUEST HELD AT GREYMOUTH. An expression of regret at the death of a young child, Stanley David Dunwoodie, aged 19 months, who was drowned at Karoro on Thursday was made by the Coroner, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, when giving his verdict a|t the. inquest, which was held yesterday. The Coroner who found, in accordance with the medical evidence of Dr. W. A. Bird that death was due to asphyxia caused by drowning, said that it. was most unfortunate that a child of this age should have died in such very tragic circumstances. Evidence of identification was given by David Dunwoodie, grandiatner of the child. Maria Erin Dunwoodie, mother of the child, said that about 11 a.m. on Thursday he was playing with a boy named Harry Gilbert, aged 15, next door. When she went to look for her child Gilbert said that he was at the sand heap at the bottom of the garden. When she went to look, he was not there. ' Comingback she found the child in an old bath full of water, which was on ground level. Dr. Bird was called, pnd said that life was extinct. Harry Thomas Gilbert, aged 15, said that 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 returned to the shed. This was the last time he saw deceased aljve. Dr. Bird said that when he was called to the scene of the accident 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. *

Sergeant R. C. Mcßobie conducted the case’ for the police.