ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 January 1929, Page 4

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

A MEDICAL OFFICER'S DEATH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GORE, Jan. 12. An accident resulting in the death of Dr. A. Mathieson, resident lady medical officer of the Gore hospital, occurred at that institution at -11.15 o’clock this morning. Dr. Mathieson was working with carbolic acid when by some means the bottle was smashed. The acid spashed over her body and face. The doctor also' suffered severely from shock and in a short while became unconscious. Dr. Lillie wa® immediately called in anj resuscitation efforts were continued for three hours. These efforts were of no' avail. Dr. Mathieson slowly sank and death occurred -between 1.50 and 2 o’clock this afternoon. Dr. Mathieson came to the Gore hospital from Dunedin some four or five months, ago and proved herself a popular and efficient officer.

At the inquest concerning the death of Dr. A. Mathieson, the evidence showed that deceased was lifting a heavy 'bottle of carbolic acid when it smashed, the deceased being severely spattered. The doctor called for assistance and collapsed. The usual measures were resorted to, artificial respiration being carried on for three hours, and the medical opinion was that death was due to severe shock following extensive skin injury, the occurrence, without a doubt, being a pure accident. A verdict along these lines was returned by the coroner. The deceased was 28 years of age. A DROWNING FATALITY. HAMILTON, Jan. 14. While swimming in the Waikato River at the Narrows yesterday, Frederick Campbell Patrick Heinemann, aged 25, single, of Hamilton, was drowned.

He was with companions who set out to swim the river. When last seen he had almost crossed.

CAR AND CYCLE COLLIDE. GISBORNE, Jan. 13. As the result of a collision between, a motor-car and a motor-cycle -on Saturday evening, John Jennings, aged 25, driver of the cycle, and Joseph Waters, aged 26, a pillion rider, were admitted to hospital, but the injuries are not serious.

DEATH 'OF OLD-AGED PENSIONER. AUCKLAND, Jan. 12.. Left digging in the garden yesterday, and apparently in good spirits, Air John Shirtelift'e was found dead in a gas-filled room four hours later. An inquest was held before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., this morning. Elizabeth Skirteliffe said her husband, who lived with her at 19 Hillington Road, was an old-age pensioner, his age being 71. He was a gardener by occupation. Her husband was digging in the garden when she and her daughter left the house about 12.30 1 yesterday afternoon. 'Skirteliffe was discovered at 4.30 in the kitchen. 'The room was full of gas and a tube from the gas ring was near his mouth. Dr Pezearo was called immediately and pronounced life to be extinct. In witness’s opinion her husband was depressed over a death in the family. The verdict of suieide by gas poisoning was returned.

MOTOR CYCLIST INJURED. ASHBURTON, Jail. 14. Donald Keiiand, aged 21, was admitted ro hospital last evening suffering from a fractured .skull and lacerations on the face, the result of a motor cycle on which lie was riding skidding in some loose shingle near Hinds. His condition is serious, and he is still unconscious. INJURED WHILE PLAYING POLO. ■ GISBORNE, Jan. 14. R-. K. Murphy, a sheepfarmer of Muriwai, sustained concussion whilst playing polo, on Saturday. He lies at the hospital in an unconscious condition. His house fell in a tangle of players and rolled on him.