ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 September 1926, Page 4

ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

INQUEST ON WILLIAM BROOKSBY

An inquest into the death of William Brooksby, the 16-year-old inmate of the Eltham Salvation Army Home, who died in the Hawera- Hospital on Thursday after 'being thrown from a horse, was held yesterday afternoon before the acting-coroner, Mr G. H. BuckeTidge, and a jury composed of Messrs J. A. Gdodson (foi-eman), E. R. Brind, J. Fennell and J. Champion. Sergeant Henry conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. • Dr. Basil A. Porritt, house surgeon at the Hawera Hospital, said the deceased was admitted to the institution at about 10 o’clock on Thursday morning ini an unconscious condition'. There was no fracture oF the skull to foe felt. Deceased was examined by Dr. Buist at about 12.30, foils condition, then being the same as on admission. Dr. Buist said if any sign® of compression -set in he would operate in the afternoon. Deceased died at 3.40 p.m. from asphyxia, following upon an injury to the head. The injuries would foe consistent- with those which would be sustained' through falling .from a horse. There was a; slight skin albralsion on the right hip, and a cut, three-quarters of an inch long, on the side of the head. Deceased did not regain consciousness after his admission to the hospital. He was well nourished. William Leonard Fantham, adjutant in the Salvation Army, saidi he was assistant-manager of the Salvation Army Boys’ Home at Eltham. Deceased was 16 years of age, and had been an inmate of the home for the past two years. Both the hoy’s parents were dead. At about ,8.20 aim. on Thurdsav, September 9, deceased left the Army Home to go to Ladiels’ Mile to feed dry cattle, riding a quiet nony, to which he was accustomed. Deceased 1 whs a fair average rider. General instructions bad 'been given that the pony should lie ridden steadily The nony was an aged one, travelled fast, but had no vice.

Isaliel Margaret Sorenfeen, 10 years of age, -said that on* September 9,. at 8.10 a m., she was going along Castle street to school -with other; children; William Brooksby came round 1 a corner very quickly, riding on the' asphalt. At a liend in the road the horse slipped and fell. Deceased was thrown over the animal’s head, and lay still. Witness was about a chain and a half away. She told her father of the oerence, who, with other people, placed deceased on the Elthaini' County lorry arid took him to Dr. Saunders’s house. Deceased did not spe-alc while om the ground, and appeared to be unconscious'.

The acting-coroner congratulated the witness upon giving her evidence clearly. The. jury returned »J verdict of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anybody.